Central St. man convicted for Sullivan murder
By George P. Hassett

  Ryan Sullivan should be graduating from Somerville High School this month. Instead, a Central Street man charged with Sullivan‚Äôs murder is preparing to begin a life sentence in prison after being convicted of first degree murder Thursday.

  Joseph Spinucci, 27, of Central Street, was the first of two men charged with Sullivan‚Äôs murder to stand trial for the July 1, 2004 stabbing death of Sullivan, who was 16 at the time. Van Gustave, 26, of Somerville, is also being charged with murder and multiple assault charges in connection with Sullivan‚Äôs murder, but has yet to go to trial.
  Prosecutors charged that Spinucci and Gustave fatally stabbed Sullivan after Sullivan intervened in an altercation between the two men and Warwick Street resident William Tighe.
  In addition to being sentenced to life in prison, Spinucci was also ordered to serve sentences of 9 to 10 years and 7 to 8 years for two charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. His trial was held in Lowell because Sullivan was related to Middlesex Clerk of Courts Edward Sullivan, who works in the Cambridge courthouse where Spinucci would normally have stood trial.
  The jury deliberated for seven hours before sentencing Spinucci to prison for life.