Worcester Man Gets Up To 17 Years In Jail For Drug Deal Killing

WORCESTER, MA—Mathew Pye, accused of killing a man during a 2015 drug deal, was sentenced to 15 to 17 years in prison on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Hodgens told the court that Pye and Jeffrey Johnson met Simon Holley and Shane Bennett in a yard adjacent to the apartments at 10 Newbury St. The plan was to sell a pound of marijuana to Pye for $2,600, Hodgens said.

Holley and Bennett pulled handguns on Pye and while they were going through Pye’s wallet, Pye pulled a handgun from his belt and fired at least one shot, according to Hodgens. Bennett was shot and later died. Holley sustained a hand wound, continued the announcement from the DA.

After accepting the plea, Judge Janet Kenton-Walker sentenced Pye to 15 to 17 years for manslaughter; 12 to 15 years for possession of a firearm while an armed career criminal; and 15 to 17 years for armed assault with intent to murder. The sentences on the last two charges will be served at the same time as the sentence for manslaughter.

Holley and Johnson are awaiting trial in Worcester Superior Court on charges from the robbery of Pye.