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Michael Roque, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison in Broome County Court for the on-campus stabbing of Rye Brook resident Joao Souza. He is being held in jail until his sentencing on Nov. 16.
Souza, a freshman engineering student who graduated from Blind Brook High School, was stabbed several times in a residential hall on Sunday, April 15.
Roque had reportedly transferred to Binghamton to be with his ex-girlfriend from Massapequa High School in Nassau County. Souza was reportedly in a relationship with the woman at the time he was attacked by Roque.
Roque was quickly identified as a suspect after being caught on surveillance cameras and he was subsequently arrested. At the time, police said that the incident was not a random act. Roque was indicted on the murder charge on May 14.
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