Portland Man Sentenced for Manslaughter
A Cumberland County judge handed down a 16-year prison term following a 2024 fatal stabbing in the West End.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Crime — General
Domingus Nobrega, 49, received a 16-year prison sentence in Cumberland County Superior Court for the manslaughter of 43-year-old Matthew Merrick. Nobrega pleaded guilty to the charge in August 2026 following the 2024 incident at their shared apartment.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a legal process that began after the 2024 death of Merrick, who resided with the defendant on Marshall Street. This judicial outcome provides a final resolution to the criminal case handled in Cumberland County.
Domingus Nobrega received a 16-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a single count of manslaughter. The judgment was issued in Cumberland County Superior Court on October 5, 2026.
The players
Domingus Nobrega
The 49-year-old defendant who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his roommate.
Matthew Merrick
The 43-year-old victim who died following an incident at the apartment he shared with Nobrega.
Cumberland County Superior Court
The Maine judicial body responsible for overseeing the criminal proceedings and sentencing.
The details
Nobrega and Merrick were roommates sharing an apartment on Marshall Street in Portland's West End neighborhood when the incident occurred. Following an investigation, Nobrega entered his guilty plea during the summer of 2026.
Timeline
The fatal stabbing incident occurred in 2024.
Nobrega entered a guilty plea in August 2026.
The superior court sentencing took place on October 5, 2026.
Legal Context
This sentencing follows established protocols under the 2024 Maine criminal sentencing guidelines for manslaughter convictions. The legal process in Cumberland County mirrors the state’s standard approach to adjudicating violent crimes occurring within private residences.
The sentencing resolves a case that occurred within the West End neighborhood of Portland. Residents are no longer at risk from the defendant, and the court's decision concludes the active criminal investigation.
The takeaway
The court's final ruling marks the end of the legal proceedings regarding the 2024 incident on Marshall Street. This case underscores the serious consequences associated with manslaughter convictions under Maine state law.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Portland Crime — General section.
