David Viera

[zack007attack]

Alice Viera was literally forced into marrying him despite never meeting him face to face until years after they were in contact with each other, in time for the wedding. The guy (David) was an abusive ***** who never hesitated to snarl at Alice or their children. She wanted to leave him, but her parents insisted she not, just because he was the husband and it was against their religion (Catholic). With the support of her sister and boyfriend, she was able to. Some time later, David murdered her in her own home with her boyfriend as a witness.

David was later caught in Montreal and extradited back to Massachusetts for trial. Does anyone know what he was sentenced to?

Another thing: how could anyone force their children to marry someone they only know by mail and despite being the total opposite of what a husband is supposed to be, insist she stay with them? I think their religion would actually support divorce.

[Smokescreen]

Originally posted by zack007attack Does anyone know what he was sentenced to?

That's a damn good question! I've often wondered that myself - I've tried searching but I couldn't find anything - would anyone else know?

how could anyone force their children to marry someone they only know by mail and despite being the total opposite of what a husband is supposed to be, insist she stay with them?

Having grown up with Portuguese friends and knowing their families (I.e. going over for dinner, barbecues, etc.), there's a different dynamic to it.
(My barber can verify as she is Portuguese! )

The Patriarch has the overall say, followed by (if any) adult sons. Some families from Portugal traditionally would have arranged marriages, especially from people they knew - i.e. their own family. Not so much in North America nowadays, but years ago, if the family or parents were from "the old country", they were a lot more strict and traditional and that's just how they would roll.

Yeah, David Viera is/ was a total D-Bag but the family insisted their daughter Alice, stay with him because 1) Roma Catholicism opposes divorce and 2) it's a very embarrassing thing to endure within the eyes of the Portuguese community.

I'm really curious to see how many years he received

[Kane]

David Vieira (the actual spelling of his last name) pled guilty to second degree murder. In Massachusetts, a second-degree murder conviction carries a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. Therefore, Vieira must serve no less than 15 years before he can be considered for parole.

http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/d...1kill.htm#jump

[Smokescreen]

A ha! That's why I couldn't find the info I wanted - the spelling!! Dang!

In any case, thank you Kane!!

[Kane]

Originally Posted by Smokescreen

A ha! That's why I couldn't find the info I wanted - the spelling!! Dang!

In any case, thank you Kane!!

You're welcome.

The spelling of the last name was the obvious issue. Even a slight misspelling can be enough to put anyone on a wild goose chase.

[xxxxmattxxxx69]

Was that the guy who hit his wife with a brick when she let him in her house?

[Wamisto]

Yes.

[PracTz]

I remember this one with Alice's sister understandably upset and distraught over what happened to her- but, strangely, neither of Alice's parents participated in this nor even had comments read voicing their POV's off camera. Does anyone know if either of Alice's parents ever expressed regret for forcing her into the marriage, blowing her off when she told of David's abuse, trashing her when she ended their marriage OR even that their 'beloved' son-in-law murdered their daughter?If they didn't I hope the surviving, caring sister has ensured that they have NO part of Alice's traumatized children's lives!

[sdb4884]

I can't believe that Alice Vieira's boyfriend didn't try to fight off David's attack and just ran off a mile to the police station. What did he think was going to happen? completely stupid thinking.

[WishfulDreamer]

Originally Posted by sdb4884

I can't believe that Alice Vieira's boyfriend didn't try to fight off David's attack and just ran off a mile to the police station. What did he think was going to happen? completely stupid thinking.

I admit that every time I watch the segment I feel a little angry at him because he just runs away, but then again, panic can do strange things to you. Who knows what would have happened if he had tried to fight him off? He could have helped or been a victim himself. I can't say what I would have done for sure since I've never been in that situation, but I think if I saw a loved one being attacked, I would probably be CALLING 911 and maybe throwing objects at the assailant, trying to fend him off, what have you. But who knows, maybe fear would do the same thing to me

[zack007attack]

Originally Posted by WishfulDreamer

I admit that every time I watch the segment I feel a little angry at him because he just runs away, but then again, panic can do strange things to you. Who knows what would have happened if he had tried to fight him off? He could have helped or been a victim himself. I can't say what I would have done for sure since I've never been in that situation, but I think if I saw a loved one being attacked, I would probably be CALLING 911 and maybe throwing objects at the assailant, trying to fend him off, what have you. But who knows, maybe fear would do the same thing to me

I have two words to say: Ronald Goldman

Ronald didn't stand much of a chance, so Alice's boyfriend saw it that way too. He also didn't want to run to a neighbor's in case David saw him so he ran further where he knew he could be protected instantly.

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by PracTz

I remember this one with Alice's sister understandably upset and distraught over what happened to her- but, strangely, neither of Alice's parents participated in this nor even had comments read voicing their POV's off camera. Does anyone know if either of Alice's parents ever expressed regret for forcing her into the marriage, blowing her off when she told of David's abuse, trashing her when she ended their marriage OR even that their 'beloved' son-in-law murdered their daughter?If they didn't I hope the surviving, caring sister has ensured that they have NO part of Alice's traumatized children's lives!

So, I watched this one yesterday on Prime. And by far the most cringeworthy part is the reenactment when Alice is sobbing to her parents about David beating her everyday (asking, "do you see what he did to my face?) and her parents telling her to go back to him because if she divorced him, she would be an embarrassment and disgrace to the family.

I can't speak for the parents but I have suspicions that they weren't interviewed by UM because they might have thought that if she never left David, she would still be alive today. Again, that's just a guess.

Their strict Portuguese Catholic faith in regards to divorce really put them in a unwinnable situation here. But even so, I still struggle with the thought of telling your daughter to stay with her abusive husband who beats you on a daily basis or else you'll be considered an embarrassment to THEM. Ugh.

[TheCars1986]

I saw this segment on Prime today and was initially pretty peeved that the boyfriend did nothing to help Alice. But it seems like the re-enactment got it wrong. I found this article, which says:

Mrs. Vieira was at home with a new boyfriend, Antonio Rezendes, when her daughter Matilda, then 12, came to the house. The two soon began arguing, which led to Matilda breaking a window. The girl then left the building to join her father - Mr. Vieira - who was waiting outside in a car.

Shortly afterwards there was a loud noise outside the apartment. According to Mr. Rezendes, Mrs. Vieira came out of the bathroom in a blue nightgown.

"As she approached the rear door, it suddenly sprang open inward and Rezendes observed David Vieira...who was also known to Mr. Rezendes, coming in with a large metal object raised above his head and he saw Mr. Vieira strike Alice Vieira twice with this metal object," Mr. Cunningham said.

As Mrs. Vieira staggered towards the rear hallway, Mr. Rezendes ran out of the apartment to a landing a floor above.

"While he was standing there he heard Alice Vieira scream loudly three times and then it went completely quiet," Mr. Cunningham said.

So maybe the boyfriend couldn't get out of the apartment other than by going in the opposite direction of where Alice was attacked?