RI Supreme Court Overturns Murder Conviction Over Evidence Error

Judges cite erroneous admission of girlfriend's text messages as grounds for new trial.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:04pm

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The Rhode Island Supreme Court has vacated the conviction of an East Providence man, Justin Chandler, in a 2020 Providence murder case. The court found that the trial judge improperly allowed the admission of prejudicial text messages from Chandler's girlfriend, Dilia Tavares, which included hearsay accusations against him. The Supreme Court ruled that Chandler is entitled to a new trial due to the improper evidence.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of adhering to rules of evidence in criminal trials. The Supreme Court determined that the text messages, which suggested Chandler's guilt, were too prejudicial and should not have been presented to the jury, even with cautionary instructions. The overturning of the conviction on these grounds raises questions about the handling of digital evidence and the need for careful consideration of its admissibility.

The details

In December 2020, 22-year-old Devin Delacruz was killed and another man was injured in a shooting in Providence. Prosecutors alleged that Chandler was the getaway driver for the unknown shooter. At trial, the jury convicted Chandler of first-degree murder and other charges. However, Chandler appealed, arguing that text messages from his girlfriend, Dilia Tavares, which included hearsay accusations against him, were improperly admitted as evidence. The Supreme Court agreed, finding that the messages were unduly prejudicial and should not have been presented to the jury.

  • On December 4, 2020, the shooting occurred in Providence.
  • In June 2023, Chandler was found guilty and sentenced to two life terms.
  • In 2024, Chandler appealed the conviction.
  • In March 2026, the Rhode Island Supreme Court overturned the conviction.

The players

Justin Chandler

An East Providence man who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2020 shooting death of Devin Delacruz, but had his conviction overturned by the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Devin Delacruz

A 22-year-old man who was killed in the 2020 Providence shooting.

Dilia Tavares

Chandler's girlfriend, whose text messages containing hearsay accusations against him were improperly admitted as evidence at his trial.

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What’s next

The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office has stated that they are prepared to retry the case against Chandler.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of adhering to rules of evidence in criminal trials, as the improper admission of prejudicial text messages led to the overturning of Chandler's conviction. It highlights the need for careful consideration of digital evidence and its potential impact on the fairness of the judicial process.