Lawrence Man Gets Life In Drug-Related Shooting

A Lawrence man has been convicted in connection with the drug-related killing in 2012 of a Reading man.

Jose Rivera Jr. was sentenced Tuesday in Salem Superior Court to life in prison with the possibility of parole following his conviction on second-degree murder charges.

Prosecutors say the 34-year-old Rivera planned the September 2012 shooting of 27-year-old Martin Butt because Rivera thought Butt had stolen $1,500 worth of heroin from one of Rivera's "runners."

The shooting occurred on broad daylight.

Butt was shot in the head and chest and died at the hospital.

Prosecutors say Rivera had previously served a 10-year federal prison sentence on drug charges.

Another man awaits trial in Butt's death.