Elijah Michonski gets 40 years to life in slaying of Nicholas Weir of Montague

Judge says case ‘too big to fix in a courtroom’
Nicholas Weir family members testify at plea hearing

GREENFIELD –  Acting on a joint recommendation from prosecuting and defense attorneys, a Franklin County Judge Tuesday sentenced Elijah Michonski to 40 years to life in state prison after he pleaded guilty to second degree murder, armed assault with intent to murder, and three other charges in connection with the July 3, 2020 slaying of Nicholas Weir and the assault on Teresa Weir at the couple’s Montague home.

Michonski was 18 at the time. The Weirs are Michonski’s aunt and uncle, and had taken him in from April of 2020 until about June 10, 2020 when they asked him to leave.

In court Tuesday, Michonski pleaded guilty to second degree murder, a charge reduced from first degree murder; armed assault with intent to murder; aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; breaking and entering in the daytime with the intent to commit a felony; and larceny of a motor vehicle.

Judge Francis Flannery sentenced Michonski to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years on the second degree murder conviction.  On the armed assault with intent to murder and aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charges, both of which pertain to Michonski’s attack upon his aunt, Michonski received 15 years in state prison, to be served after he completes the 25 year sentence on the murder conviction.  While serving that 15 year sentence, Michonski will also be serving 9-10 year sentences on the breaking and entering and larceny of a motor vehicle convictions.  All told, Michonski will serve 40 years in state prison before becoming eligible for parole. 

Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne prosecuted the case along with Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Sandra Staub, who recounted in court the facts the Commonwealth would prove if the case went to trial. She explained that Michonski broke into his aunt’s home, attacked her with a knife and when her husband came to intervene, attacked him. After the attack Michonski fled in the couple’s car, but then turned himself in to police. Nicholas Weir died the next day. Teresa Weir suffered 13 stab wounds, nerve damage, a fractured skull and a concussion.

Gagne told Judge Francis Flannery that the plea agreement and recommended sentence were in the interest of justice and only being proffered with the full support of the family of Nicholas Weir. He said resolving the case without a trial ensured that Michonski admitted his guilt,  spared the family from the trauma of a trial as well as the years and years of appeals that routinely follow first degree murder convictions. Furthermore, he noted the sentence provides significant protection for the public by ensuring that Michonski remains incarcerated for 40 years before even being considered for parole. If paroled, he would have to follow strict supervision, Gagne noted.

Defense Attorney Jennifer Cox noted that Michonski deeply regrets his actions that day.

Statements from two of Weir’s siblings as well as from Teresa Weir were read in court about the devastating and continued effect of the slaying and assault on their family and well-being.

Flannery noted that the case was egregious, but said he could see no reason not to adopt the recommendation presented by the attorneys.

“I wish there was more we could do to alleviate the suffering of the victim and the victim’s family but this is really too big for us to fix in a courtroom,” Flannery said. “I’m persuaded by the arguments I’ve heard that this is an appropriate resolution.”

The case was investigated by the Montague Police Department together with the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit attached to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.