A Dorchester man has been convicted for his role in the murder of a woman who was found dead and burned in Bridgewater in 2015.
Following a 7-day trial, a jury deliberated for 10 hours before finding Fernando Owens, 51, guilty of one count each of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Bridgewater in 2015.
On Nov. 3, Bridgewater police received a 911 call just before midnight for a report that a fire was burning alongside the MBTA train tracks.
Police determined a human body was on fire and later identified the victim to be Ashley Bortner, 29, of New Jersey.
“Bortner’s body had been burned over 70%, she had been gagged, and her face was wrapped with a towel,” the Plymouth County district attorney’s office wrote in a statement. “Bortner’s hands and feet were also bound behind her.”
Massachusetts State Police investigators determined and jurors heard as evidence at trial that Owens was acquainted with Bortner and believed she somehow played a role in the fatal shooting of Owens’ son in Dorchester.
“As part of the investigation, Massachusetts State Police seized an electrical cord and a cotton towel from the home of Owens that linked him to the murder,” the statement says.
After the murder, Owens fled the United Stated to the Dominican Republic and was captured by police there.
Co-defendants Julian Squires, 48, and Shannon Squires, 46, were additionally charged for their roles in Bortner’s murder.
Prosecutors say the couple was in Bridgewater around the time of the 911 call to Bridgewater police and assisted Owens in killing and disposing of Bortner’s body.
Julian Squires is currently serving a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Shannon Squires is awaiting trial and is scheduled to appear in court on July 20.
Owens will be sentenced on Friday in Plymouth Superior Court, but faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cailin Campbell.