Paul Morel, a 38-year-old White male, was working as a taxi driver on the cold night of February 2, 1985, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, unaware that his life was about to be tragically cut short. On that fateful evening, three teenagers, 16-year-old Jose Tevenal and his two friends, Andre Garcia and Emilio Gonzalez, made a plan to rob a cab driver to get some money. Tevenal, who was just three weeks shy of his 17th birthday, was in possession of a handgun.
The trio called for a taxi, and when it arrived, their deadly plan was set into motion.
As Paul Morel pulled up, one of Tevenal's companions acted as a lookout while the other got into the front passenger seat and snatched the keys from the ignition. Tevenal then approached the driver's side of the cab, brandished the handgun, and demanded money from Morel. The cab driver complied, handing over a small stack of one-dollar bills, offering no resistance. Despite his cooperation, Tevenal fired the gun, shooting Morel six times at close range.
After the senseless act of violence, Tevenal and his accomplices fled the scene and divided the stolen money. In the days that followed, Tevenal openly admitted to at least six friends and acquaintances that he had shot the taxi driver. On February 4, 1985, accompanied by a friend, Jose Tevenal walked into the Lawrence police station and turned himself in. He later confessed to the shooting after speaking with his mother and other relatives who had arrived at the station.
Jose Tevenal was subsequently charged and, on February 10, 1986, was found guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and a firearm violation. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder. His accomplices also faced justice; Andre Garcia received concurrent sentences for manslaughter and armed robbery, which he has since completed, while Emilio Gonzalez passed away in prison on November 1, 1992. After serving 30 years, due to a Supreme Judicial Court ruling regarding juvenile offenders, Tevenal became eligible for parole.
