Boston Man Arraigned for Murder and Stabbing in Malden

MALDEN— Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced that a Boston man has been arraigned in Malden District Court, charged with the fatal stabbing of a Malden man and the non-fatal stabbing of a second Malden man.

Juan Buruca, 39, of Boston, was charged with murder, armed assault with the intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.

Malden District Court Judge Lee Johnson ordered that the defendant be held without bail.  
 
The case is scheduled for a status hearing on September 12 in Malden District Court.

“We allege that this defendant viciously stabbed two men after an argument with one of them earlier in the evening,” said District Attorney Ryan. “I commend the alert Malden police officers who encountered this defendant and were able to safely apprehend him.”

According to authorities, on Saturday, August 9, at approximately 1:15am, Malden Police responded to a report of a double stabbing at a residence at 28 Newhall Street.  Upon their arrival, they discovered two male victims suffering from apparent stab wounds. Both men were transported to local hospitals.  
 
One victim, Jorge Alberto Machado Mejia, 48, of Malden, was pronounced dead at Whidden Hospital. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and determined that the cause of death was stab wounds to the torso and upper extremities, with injuries to the heart, lungs and liver, and the manner of death was homicide.
 
The second victim, a 45 year-old male, is still being treated for his injuries.
           
Authorities began an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. They learned that the defendant was in a romantic relationship with the sister of one of the victims.  Earlier in the evening, prior to allegedly attacking the two victims with a knife, the defendant had had an argument with one of the victims and other family members. During the investigation, the alleged weapon was recovered.

The charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
          
Malden Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney's Office investigated this case.
 
The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Beth Dunigan. The Victim Witness Advocate is Kristen Chamberlain.