MALDEN — A Malden man was convicted of first-degree murder Tuesday in the 2021 killing of his roommate with a samurai sword.
Joshua Roush, 46, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the Aug. 15, 2021, slaying of Brian McDonald, 34, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin announced.
The conviction came after a seven-day trial in Middlesex Superior Court.
Judge Cathleen Campbell handed down the sentence.
Malden police responded to Presley Street at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2021, after reports of a man bleeding following a possible fight.
Officers found McDonald on the sidewalk with severe injuries.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Neighbors reported hearing yelling and banging from the apartment before seeing McDonald crawl onto the porch, bleeding.
Police entered the residence after negotiations with Roush and found blood spatter in multiple rooms and a bloodied samurai sword.
Prosecutors said Roush and McDonald, who were roommates, had a verbal argument that turned violent when Roush attacked McDonald with the sword.
McDonald attempted to escape but collapsed on the sidewalk.
The case was investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Malden Police Department and Massachusetts State Police detectives.
