New Bedford Man Convicted of 2013 New Bedford Murder

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced that Jeremy Amaral has been convicted of first degree murder and witness intimidation connected to the March 2013 slaying of 35-year-old Tiffany Ann Durfee in New Bedford.

A jury of his peers voted to convict Mr. Amaral, 36, of New Bedford, this afternoon in Fall River Superior Court, after deliberating for about six hours over the course of two days.

After his conviction, Mr. Amaral was immediately sentenced by Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson to serve a lifetime prison sentence with no possibility of parole.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dennis Collins, Chief of District Attorney Quinn’s Homicide Unit.

Mr. Amaral stood accused of killing Ms. Durfee by stabbing her in the neck inside her North Street apartment. He then left her to die and stole her 55-inch flat screen television and sold it for drug money.

“I am grateful that the jury held this defendant accountable for a very brutal and senseless murder all because of the defendant’s drug habit.  Ironically, the defendant and victim were friends.  I would like to compliment ADA Dennis Collins, Chief of the Homicide Unit, for his effective prosecution of this case,” District Attorney Quinn said.  “I would also like to acknowledge New Bedford Detectives William Sauve and William Westgate as well as State Police Trooper Zachary Johnson for their hard work in this case.  This was Detective Sauve and Westgate’s second murder trial this month. This defendant has a violent past and deserves to be in prison for the rest of his life.”

Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell