In the early hours of March 16, 2010, the life of 21-year-old Stephen Richard "Spike" Erving, a White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short in what should have been the safety of his own bedroom. At approximately 3:30 a.m. in Stoughton, Massachusetts, while Stephen was asleep, an assailant fired multiple shots from a 9 mm pistol through his first-floor window on Lincoln Street, fatally wounding him. A former Brockton Boxer hockey player who had won numerous gold medals, Stephen was known for his loyalty to friends and family. He was the loving father of three sons: Nathan, Zachary, and Stephen Jr.
The investigation into Stephen's death quickly pointed to a suspect, 21-year-old Michael W. Blanchard. Authorities learned that Blanchard and Erving were acquainted and had a history of conflict. In a swift response by law enforcement, Blanchard was arrested and arraigned on the very day of the murder. The case against him proceeded to trial in Norfolk Superior Court.
In June of 2013, a jury found Michael W. Blanchard guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Stephen Erving. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 15 years. Blanchard also received a concurrent sentence for carrying a firearm without a license. Despite an appeal of his conviction, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the verdict in February 2017, ensuring that Blanchard would remain incarcerated for ending the life of a defenseless man in his sleep. The court's decision brought a final, just conclusion for the family and friends of Stephen Erving.
