Key Points
- Michael Lewis, 65, pled guilty to manslaughter in relation to two murder cases.
- He killed Brian Watson in 1984 and William Villani in 1993.
- Authorities suspect Watson’s murder might have connections to infamous mob leader Whitey Bulger.
A man from Boston, Michael Lewis, has come forward to admit his involvement in two murders that date back several decades. One of these cases is believed to have ties to the underworld icon Whitey Bulger.
On November 5, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office released a statement saying that 65-year-old Lewis pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter related to homicides committed in the years 1984 and 1993.
Following his confession, he was sentenced to two 15-year prison terms to run at the same time.
In the early 80s, Lewis was involved in the South Boston drug scene, and according to prosecutors, he aimed to eliminate competition. In 1984, he and an accomplice encountered Brian Watson and asked him to help them find a specific drug dealer. Watson agreed and got into the backseat of their vehicle. That’s when, unexpectedly, Lewis shot and killed him.
The two reportedly disposed of Watson’s body along the I-93 in Manchester.
Reports from NBC 10 and WCVB claim that the prosecutors are investigating whether Bulger, leader of the Winter Hill Gang and known to be an FBI informant, is connected to Watson’s murder.
Speaking of Bulger, he was killed in prison while serving a life sentence for racketeering. His life and crimes inspired the 2015 movie Black Mass, starring Johnny Depp.
Furthermore, Michael Lewis has also admitted to murdering William Villani, age 46, in 1993. Villani was not just an acquaintance but also Lewis’s boss at the Boston Housing Authority Pest Control Unit. He was discovered in his office brutally beaten, stabbed, and shot. Interestingly, a bag of pesticide was placed on Villani’s lifeless body, indicating that Lewis likely had a fallout due to returning to work after a prolonged absence.
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, “I am relieved that the families of Brian Watson and William Villani finally have closure after years of uncertainty concerning their loved ones’ fate.”
For more details, see the original article on People.
