Brockton Woman Found Guilty Of Stabbing Boyfriend To Death

BROCKTON, MA — A Brockton woman was found guilty of stabbing her boyfriend to death in 2017, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said Wednesday.

Kathryn Podgurski, now 38-years-old, was convicted of murdering her boyfriend Joseph Shaw, 44, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

On July 21, 2017, at 9:49 p.m., Brockton police responded to a distressed phone call from a relative of Podgurski's, telling them that Kathryn said men had entered her apartment attempting to rob her and Shaw, killing Shaw, then making her clean up the blood.

When police entered the Green Street apartment, they found Shaw's body in a closet, buried under several items of clothing and bedding, a chair, and covered with kitty litter.

Police said it was clear the body had been there for a while and added that there were multiple severe stab wounds consistent with a homicide. Shaw had been reported missing by a family member four days earlier.

The medical examiner found Shaw had been stabbed more than 42 times, the lower-left portion of his leg was severed and his right arm was severed below the elbow.

At the trial, jurors heard details of how Podgurskikilled Shaw, hid his body in the apartment closet and told police the killing was committed by others during a botched robbery.

"This defendant stabbed Mr. Shaw 42 times and left him to suffer with fatal wounds that were strong and deep, DA Cruz said. "His family then had to suffer through gruesome testimony at trial about their loved one's murder. I hope that with today's verdict and sentence this family is finally able to find some peace."

Original Article

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