TAUNTON – Two men have been convicted in a brutal 2019 stabbing Taunton boxer Justin Paulo, 31.

Jerome Middleton of Fall River and Khayon Cruz of New Bedford were found guilty of first degree murder and armed robbery in Fall River Superior Court on Friday, Nov. 1, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced Friday.

“I am pleased that the jury convicted both defendants of this senseless and brutal crime,” said District Attorney Quinn.

Middleton and Cruz are scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Fall River Superior Court.

What happened on the night of the murder?

On the night of Jan. 5, 2019, Middleton and Cruz went to Paulo’s residence at 9 Wilson St., the DA’s office said. The robbery took place at 11.10pm when Middleton, then 19, and Cruz, then 24, attacked, stabbed and robbed Paulo of jewellery, including a chain gold.

Surveillance footage from the doorbell camera indicated the killers had scouted the house beforehand and approached the house when Paulo started walking toward the front door.

Poleandwhat a report indicated the fight spilled onto the front lawn and onto a neighbor’s property. He also said that the perpetrators also tried to enter the residence. It was also confirmed that one of the perpetrators had a firearm with him.

After the struggle, Paulo, bleeding from multiple stab wounds, managed to enter his residence after Middleton and Cruz fled. His brother and mother of his son were inside the residence.

His family drove him to Morton Hospital that night. Justin Paulo he was then airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital. The next morning he was declared dead.

Details from the police report The police report paints a horrific picture of the fatal attack in Taunton

How they were caught

Detectives tracked down and arrested Cruz and Middleton days later after learning from Charlton Memorial Hospital staff that the two had checked in for treatment of lacerations after the attack, the police report said.

According to the DA’s office, a knife that had Paulo and Jerome Middleton’s DNA on it was recovered from the crime scene.

Previous reports indicate surveillance photos identified Cruz by communicating with New Bedford police detectives, who confirmed they had previous interactions with him.

Members of the Shotgun Crips Gang, police said

Both Cruz and Middleton were known associates of the Shotgun Crips Gang, the police report said.

Cruz was on probation for narcotics charges from New Bedford District Court and had numerous “felony convictions” in the past for possession of firearms, the police report said.

With reporting by Jordan Deschenes

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Murder of Taunton boxer Justin Paulo: 2 convicted in brutal stabbing