WORCESTER, Mass. – A man who brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Dabrowski, in a crowded Worcester restaurant in 2019 was sentenced Thursday to life in prison.
Carlos Asencio, 32, initially refused to enter the courtroom, but after being dragged away by a group of bailiffs, he told the judge that he had decided to waive his right to be present during the sentencing.
Charles #Ascension being sentenced today for Amanda’s murder #Dabrowski. Asencio initially refused to enter the room. Once in the courtroom, he decided to write a statement. You waive your right to be in the courtroom during sentencing. #worcester #boston25
— Katie Brace (@KatieBraceNews) June 29, 2023
The proceeding eventually continued with victim impact statements from Dabrowski’s sister, Victoria, and father, Ed.
“Every day it’s a little closer until we’re all together again,” Ed Dabrowski said. “Our lives changed forever on that terrible night in July, but Amanda, you can now rest in peace knowing that this monster can never hurt anyone again. We will not forget you.”
Ed Dabrowski shares his memories and the memories of Amanda’s friends with the court during Carlos Asencio’s sentencing for first degree murder. #worcester #boston25
— Katie Brace (@KatieBraceNews) June 29, 2023
Victoria Dabrowski added: “I would have addressed it to him [Asencio] if he was sitting in front of me… You don’t deserve to have anything good. You forfeited your right to be a member of society by committing this act… I hope you feel alone as you spend the rest of your life in prison… You are a pathetic human being.”
Judge Janet Kenton-Walker then handed down the mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Asencio was convicted last week of murder in the fatal stabbing of Dabrowski, 31, who was also his former co-worker.
Before jurors deliberated, prosecutors outlined their case against 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.
Karcasinas added: “Fueled by jealousy and rage, Mr. Asencio murdered Amanda Dabrowski.”
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During the trial, prosecutors said Asencio tried to kill Amanda at her home in Ayer, fled the country and returned.
Asencio then tracked down Dabrowski by recording a cell phone in her car and followed her to O’Connor’s restaurant in Worcester, where she entered with two large knives on July 3, 2019.
Surveillance video showed Asencio walking around the restaurant until he found Amanda and stabbed her 58 times.
Several patrons jumped in to try to save Amanda and assure Asencio that she asked to die.
Asencio’s defense argued that he was not criminally responsible for the heinous murder due to a psychotic disorder.
Asencio was also found guilty of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the injury to a patron who intervened.
He will serve his life sentence a Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster.
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