PROVIDENCE — Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Friday that Tony Gonzalez, 29, of Providence, found guilty in October 2017 by a Kent County Superior Court jury of the Jan. 22, 2012 first-degree murder of Carl Cunningham, 23, was sentenced to consecutive life sentences plus 30 years by Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini.
During the trial, the State proved that just after midnight on January 22, 2012, Tony Gonzalez went to a Nausaucket Avenue residence in Warwick armed with a .9mm firearm, with the intention to confront Matthew Chivers, who was in a relationship with Gonzalez’s ex-girlfriend Patricia Chivers (previously Patricia DeLomba). Carl Cunningham was visiting the couple. While Cunningham knew of Gonzalez, he had no previous negative interactions with him and was not the intended target that evening.
When arriving at the residence, Gonzalez pounded on the front door and demanded Matthew Chivers come out to fight. Patricia Chivers confronted Gonzalez while Matthew Chivers hid in the back bedroom. Cunningham, who was a sleep on the couch in the living room, awoke to the pounding on the door and went to ask Matthew Chivers what was going on.
At some point during the struggle, Gonzalez gained access to the bedroom and fired his weapon 13 times striking Cunningham seven times, causing his death. Gonzalez fled the scene and was arrested the following morning by Providence Police.
At some point during the struggle, Gonzalez gained access to the bedroom and fired his weapon 13 times striking Cunningham seven times, causing his death. Gonzalez fled the scene and was arrested the following morning by Providence Police.
Warwick Detectives John McHale and Joseph Mee led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorneys General Timothy Healy and Meghan McDonough prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.
This is a test