Press Release  Haverhill Man Convicted of Killing One Man and Seriously Injuring Another

Haverhill, MA — A Haverhill man was convicted today of stabbing one man to death and seriously injuring another outside a bar in Haverhill four years ago.

After a six-day trial in Salem Superior Court, a jury found Hayden Delafuente, 25, guilty of Second-Degree Murder, Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon causing Serious Bodily Injury and Armed Assault with Intent to Kill.  Judge Thomas Drechsler will impose sentence on June 30, 2021.

“This was a senseless act of violence,” Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.  “I’d like to thank the jury for their service and hope that their verdict will provide the friends and loved ones of Mr. Sabatino some peace.”

Essex Assistant District Attorneys Erin Bellavia and Jessica Strasnick introduced evidence that proved that on May 28, 2017, the defendant fatally stabbed Matthew Sabatino, 28, of Lawrence, MA and seriously injured Daniel Doore, 34, of Haverhill, MA, outside the Barking Dog Ale House at 77 Washington Street. 

At trial, jurors heard from witnesses who testified that Sabatino was out with his finance, Doore and Doore's girlfriend for the evening.  The defendant confronted Doore as the group was walking away from the Chit Chat Lounge.  While this was happening Sabatino came back to the area and was stabbed in the heart.  Doore was also stabbed five times, two of them to his lower back. 

Sabatino was medflighted to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he later died on June 8, 2017.  Doore was transported to Lawrence General Hospital.

ADAs Bellavia and Strasnick were assisted by Essex Victim Advocate Michelle DeFeo and thanked Massachusetts State Police Trooper Matthew Murphy and Haverhill Detectives Jack Moses (retired) and Rick Welch for their work on the investigation.

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