WOBURN — Graciela Paulino, who shot and killed a Peabody man in a road rage incident in Lowell last year and bragged about it on Facebook, was convicted by a Middlesex Superior Court jury Tuesday.
The victim, Marc Devoe, was on his lunch hour that February day. He would not return to the job at Thorndike Exchange, the $30 million luxury apartment building at the former Comfort Furniture and Bedding property where he was installing HVAC systems.
The 34-year-old Veterans Memorial High School graduate was driving with a coworker in his blue Hyundai Accent near the Gallagher Transportation Terminal to get lunch when an altercation occurred between them and Paulino, then 20, operator of the other vehicle.
Surveillance video introduced at trial showed Devoe turning into a parking lot at the train station followed by Paulino in her silver Honda Civic. Devoe and his coworker got out of the car and argued with Paulino while she remained in the car. The footage shows Devoe and his coworker return to their car, argue more through the driver’s side window, then drive away, with Paulino in pursuit.
Prosecutors said she followed Devoe and his coworker down an access road, near YMCA Drive. Devoe pulled over by the bridge and got out of his car again and seconds later shots rang out.
He was shot once in the chest. Moments after the shooting, the victim drove a short distance before crashing his vehicle into a jersey barrier on YMCA Drive.
Devoe was taken to Lowell General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Hours later, Paulino allegedly posted on Facebook: “Tried to warn Em, tried to tell Em, told Em stop that you my son, don’t make me spank you.”
Paulino’s attorney argued Devoe assaulted Paulino and threatened to kill her. She shot him in self-defense, he said.
The jury did not agree.
Paulino was convicted of manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years.
Superior Court Judge Bruce Henry has scheduled sentencing for Nov. 1.
