Boston Man Indicted For Malden Murder and Stabbing

WOBURN - Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan today announced the indictment of a Boston man in connection with the death of a Malden man and the stabbing of a second Malden man.
            
Juan Buruca, 39, of Boston, was indicted October 2 in Middlesex Superior Court for a charge of first degree murder. He also faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, armed assault to murder, armed assault in a dwelling (two counts) and burglary (two counts).
 
No arraignment date has been scheduled.

“This appears to be a dispute that intensified after an argument. We allege the defendant was waiting for these men and attacked them as they arrived home,” said District Attorney Ryan.  
 
According to authorities, on Saturday, August 9, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Malden Police responded to a report of a double stabbing at a residence at 28 Newhall Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered two men 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 later conducted an autopsy and determined that the cause of death was sharp force injuries of the torso and upper extremities and the manner of death was homicide.
 
The second victim, Moises Cortez, 45, of Malden, was treated for stab wounds and released.
Authorities investigating the incident learned that the defendant was in a romantic relationship with the sister of one of the victims. At approximately 10 p.m. on August 8, the defendant allegedly argued and had a physical altercation with the men in the defendant’s East Boston home. The victims left the home and went out for the evening. The victims arrived home in Malden at approximately 1 a.m. on August 9.
The investigation revealed that the defendant was inside their home with a large knife and attacked them as they attempted to enter the home. During the investigation, the alleged weapon was recovered.
The charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Beth Dunigan. The Victim Witness Advocate is Kristen Chamberlain.