Defendants Connected to Wednesday New Bedford Homicide Held Without Bail

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office

Thomas M. Quinn III

District Attorney

Press Release

August 25, 2016

The two defendant arrested in connection to the Wednesday evening homicide of 15-yea-old Mateo Morales were both ordered held without bail during their respective arraignments in New Bedford District Court and New Bedford Juvenile Court.

Luis Rafael Class, 21, of New Bedford was charged during the overnight hours with accessory to murder after the fact, and assault and battery. The defendant was arraigned this morning and ordered held without bail. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on September 28.

A 16 -year-old male has also been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was also ordered held without bail during his arraignment in Juvenile Court.

New Bedford Police, Massachusetts State Police Deceives assigned to this office and Homicide Unit prosecutors continue to actively investigate the homicide.

At around 6:22 pm, New Bedford Police were called to the area of Middle and Chancery Streets in regards to a reported stabbing incident involving three victims. One victim, Mr. Mateo,, is deceased. The other two victims, a 16-year-old male and a 22-year-old male, were being treated at area hospitals last evening for non-life threatening injuries. The 16 year old has since been released.

The investigation in being coordinated by First Assistant District Attorney Patrick O. Bomberg. The state Medical Examiner’s Office has taken custody of the deceased to perform an autopsy.

Due to the ongoing and fluid nature of the investigation, no further information will be released about the case at this time.

Contact:

Gregg Miliote

Director of Communications

508-997-0711

774-292-9576