Massachusetts man sentenced to life with possibility of parole in racist road rage killing

A Massachusetts man convicted of murder in the 2021 death of a Black man following a racist road rage incident was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years.

Dean Kapsalis of Hudson was convicted by a jury last year of manslaughter, violation of constitutional rights and other crimes in the killing of Henry Tapia. Kapsalis and Tapia got into an argument on January 19, 2021. Investigators found that as the argument ended, Kapsalis shouted a racial slur and then struck Tapia with his pickup as he drove away. Tapia died at a hospital, prosecutors said.

“The murder of Henry Tapia is a senseless tragedy fueled by hatred and anger,” prosecutor Marian Ryan said after the sentencing last year. “The fact that some of the last words Henry Tapia heard were a horrific racial slur intended to intimidate and threaten him based on the color of his skin is something we cannot tolerate.”

Judge David A. Deakin on Wednesday called the sentence proportionate to the crime, according to The Boston Globe. While taking into account the support Kasalis received from friends and family, he noted that “your record essentially reflects a lifelong propensity for violence.”

Deakin also addressed members of Tapia’s family, who left behind a fiancée and children.

“I am acutely aware that no amount of punishment can get them what they want most, which is to get Mr Tapia back,” Deakin said. “If I could, I wouldn’t do anything but that.”

Kapsalis argued at trial that Tapia’s death was an accident. His sentencing was delayed due to his failed attempt to have his conviction reduced to manslaughter.