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Carlos Ascenio was sentenced for the murder of Amanda Dabrowski, a 31-year-old microbiologist he briefly dated, on Thursday, June 29. He was found guilty of first-degree murder on last Tuesday following an eight-day trial, as previously reported by Daily Voice.
Appearing in Worcester Superior Court, Ascenio asked to waive his right to be physically present for his sentencing, and instead asked for his attorney to provide a statement on his behalf. Ascenio was eventually brought to a holding cell beneath the courtroom where he watched via Zoom.
"My sister only wanted the best for me my whole life growing up," Amanda's sister Victoria said ahead of Ascenio's sentencing. "I could count on her for absolutely anything and I couldn't ask for anything more in an older sister."
Victoria said her and Amanda were at the point in their lives where they were starting to make up for lost time after Amanda moved to Florida for about six years. She eventually moved back to Massachusetts not long before her death.
"My beautiful sister is with us every day, you just let her go home early," Victoria said addressing Ascenio directly. "I hope your days are long and the minutes tick by slowly, and I hope the consequences of your actions bring more pain in your lifetime that you ever cause my sister."
Prosecutors said Asencio taped a phone underneath Dabrowski's car and tracked her to O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar on West Boylston Street on July 3, 2019. As she sat there in a book club meeting, Asencio walked in and stabbed her 58 times in a matter of seconds.
Several patrons and employees at the restaurant put themselves in harm's way to subdue Asencio and stop the carnage. This landed Ascenio with a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after stabbed a man who tried to subdue him, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office reports. Judge Janet Kenton-Walker sentenced Ascenio to nine to 10 years for that charge.
"You're a liar, a manipulator and you knew exactly what you were doing. You're a pathetic human being taking the life of one who was so much more deserving than yours," Victoria continued. "I don't know what made you feel like you could decide the fate of an actual productive life that she could have provided to this world."
Throughout his trial, Asencio didn't contest the allegations but mounted an insanity defense, reports said. A psychiatrist who said the man suffers from schizoaffective disorder and heard voices that told him to kill the woman, the reports said.
At the start of his sentencing, Ascenio did disclose that he was on several medications for his mental illnesses, but was determined to be fully aware of his presence and comprehension.
"Despite what the court may have to said, this is a mental health tragedy," Ascenio's attorney read in a statement from him. "I will spend the rest of my days trying to atone for this and helping others with similar illnesses."
The prosecution's expert witness disagreed with Acensio's diagnosis during trial. Amanda's father Edward also attested to high daughter's character and the impact she left following her death.
"Amanda was a bright, intelligent and articulate individual special in so many ways. Beautiful, smart, caring, all around wonderful young lady," Edward said. "Amanda was a special human, equal parts smart, confident, funny, and caring."
Edward mentioned the specific impact Amanda's death has has on many of her friends, including her friend Kristen who called her the day after she was murdered. Kristen also apparently asked Amanda to come to her house instead of O'Connor's the same of the attack.
"She had a full life ahead of her with endless possibilities, but it was far too short and we'd give anything to have her back," Edward continued. "We will carry Amanda's memory and spirit with us forever. There are no words that can describe the heartache and devastation that her murder has caused this family."
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