WORCESTER – A jury on Tuesday found Carlos Asencio guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of his former co-worker and ex-girlfriend, Amanda Dabrowski, at a crowded Worcester restaurant in 2019.
The jury also found Asencio guilty of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Before jurors deliberated, prosecutors outlined their case for Asencio, calling Dabrowski’s killing “premeditated.”
“First degree murder committed with deliberate premeditation and with extreme atrocity and cruelty,” said Worcester Assistant District Attorney Edward Karcasinas.
“I ask that you return the verdict of not guilty by reason of mental defect,” said Robert Griffin, defense attorney.
The question before the jury is not so much whether Asencio killed Dabrowski, but whether he was mentally competent at the time. Prosecutors say there is no mental illness in this case.
“Fueled by jealousy and rage, Mr. Asencio murdered Amanda Dabrowski,” Karcasinas said.
Prosecutors say Asencio tried to kill Amanda at her home yesterday, fled the country and returned. He is accused of following her by recording a cell phone in her car. He followed her to O’Connor’s restaurant in Worcester, where he entered with two large knives. Surveillance video shows him wandering around the restaurant until he found Amanda and stabbed her 58 times.
“The ability to function doesn’t mean you’re not psychotic. It doesn’t mean you’re not mentally ill,” Griffin said. The defense says that since Asencio has been medicated, he has improved. “His motive was to stop hearing the voices. in his flawed mind, the only way to do that was to do what he did.”
Several patrons jumped in to try to save Amanda and assure Asencio that she asked to die. Prosecutors argue that this further shows that he planned to kill Amanda. “He was following his own internal dialogue to find and kill Amanda, the woman who ruined his life,” Karcasinas said.
Carlos Asencio was found guilty of first degree murder in the murder of Amanda Dabrowski. #worcester #boston25
— Katie Brace (@KatieBraceNews) June 20, 2023
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News at Facebook i Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
©2023 Cox Media Group
