Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced today that Michael Tully, AKA "Bang Bang," age 30, was sentenced to life in prison for the felony murder of 26-year old Ralph Joseph. A Superior Court jury found Tully guilty on April 1, 2013 of felony murder and conspiracy to rob after a trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause.
Judge Krause also sentenced Tully to an additional 20 non–parolable years, consecutive to the life sentence, under the state's habitual offender statute, with 15 of those years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. Tully was also found to be in violation of his probation for two other felonies and ordered to serve the remaining 10 ½ years, to run consecutive to the murder and habitual offender sentences. Judge Krause sentenced Tully to 10 years on the conspiracy count, to run concurrent.
During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on May 30, 2012, Tully and an unindicted co-conspirator set up a drug deal with Ralph Joseph with the intent to rob him. When the victim and another individual arrived at the Manton Housing Development, the agreed upon location for the drug deal, Tully and his conspirator pointed guns at the victim, demanding his money. As the victim turned and ran, he was shot in the head. Joseph was in critical condition for several days and ultimately died of his injuries.
After the robbery and shooting, the individual who arranged the drug deal and accompanied the victim to the Manton Housing Development, told Tully of the Joseph's condition, to which Tully replied, "if he dies, then there'll be no witness."
"The ease with which Michael Tully engages in violent criminal behavior is a clear indication that he has no regard for the law and no regard for human life. Within 10 months of being released from the ACI for robbery and weapon charges, Michael Tully was arrested, and ultimately found guilty, for the same type of offenses, although this time his actions caused the death of Ralph Joseph. Applying the habitual offender statute allows the State to seek and the Court to impose a lengthy sentence to those who continue to engage in violence in our communities," said Attorney General Kilmartin. The Providence Police conducted the investigation with Detective Christopher Currier as lead investigator. Special Assistant Attorney General John Moreira prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.