WORCESTER — A Superior Court jury found Christopher Burns guilty of first-degree murder on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in connection with the fatal 2021 shooting of two Worcester brothers outside the former Diamond Inn on Grafton Street.
According to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., the charges against Burns stem from the fatal shootings of Worcester brothers Marcus A. Thibodeau, 27, and James M. Johnson, 35, which took place on December 8, 2021.
The district attorney’s office said evidence presented at trial established that the brothers were targeted in a case of mistaken identity and had no prior interaction or connection with Burns.
Burns was initially charged and arraigned on April 13, 2022, in Worcester District Court and subsequently held without bail. He was later indicted by a Worcester County grand jury on September 29, 2022.
“This verdict is the result of years of dedicated work by the investigators and prosecutors committed to seeking justice for the victims and their family,” Early said. “I want to thank the Worcester Police Department and Assistant District Attorneys Timothy Westerman and Michael Travers, as well as Victim Witness Advocate Maria Deyette for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”
Burns’ sentencing is scheduled for a later date.
