Man accused in Cranston murder and fatal Swansea crash pleads not guilty

CRANSTON, R.I. — A Seekonk man charged in a Cranston murder investigation appeared in court Wednesday, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Demitri Sousa, 28, is facing charges including murder, carrying a pistol without a license, and using a firearm during a violent crime. He is expected back in court next week for a bail hearing.

Investigators allege Sousa shot 35-year-old Javon Lawson inside Lawson’s Legion Way residence in Cranston on February 26. Lawson later died from his injuries at a hospital.

According to police, Sousa left Rhode Island after the shooting. Massachusetts State Police briefly attempted to stop the vehicle before ending the pursuit.

Hours later, Swansea officers reported seeing the same vehicle traveling at a high speed on Route 6 shortly before a fiery crash at Route 136.

Authorities said Sousa’s vehicle crashed into a Subaru driving southbound, causing severe damage to both vehicles and igniting the Subaru in flames.

The occupants of the Subaru, identified as 54-year-old Carolyn Carcasi and 53-year-old James Carcasi of Bristol, Massachusetts, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Cranston investigators said the homicide may have stemmed from an earlier dispute involving the suspect, the victim, and what police described as a mutual female acquaintance.

It remains unclear whether prosecutors in Massachusetts have filed additional charges tied to the fatal Swansea crash.