The man accused of murdering 21-year-old Wareham resident Scotty Monteiro Jr. in 2009 has been found guilty on all charges, and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

A jury spent two days deliberating, and on April 5, found 23-year-old Vernon Carter guilty of: one count of murder, one count of armed robbery, two counts of carrying a firearm without a license, two charges of possession of a firearm without a firearms identification card, and one charge of assault and battery in the shooting. There is no possibility of parole.

Monteiro suffered a gunshot wound to the head at a house party in Wareham on September 4, 2009. He was transported to Tobey Hospital and then Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, but died the next day.

During closing arguments on April 3, Carter's attorney, Frank Spillane, attempted to establish a pattern of undue influence on a number of key witnesses.

Spillane argued that witnesses were influenced by media coverage, the police, and even a candlelight vigil held in Monteiro's memory.

"Influence isn't that heavy-handed," argued Spillane.

Witnesses had said that trouble began when a group of people from New Bedford, including Carter, showed up at the party.

Spillane argued that "witness after witness said they had no idea who they [the group of kids from New Bedford] were," but witnesses referred to them as "New Bedford kids" because that was what they'd heard. He argued that this was a subtle form of influence.

He also said that witnesses gave conflicting testimony.

"You had a lot of witnesses testify different things. Same event, different things," said Spillane. He also argued that because the event took place more than three years ago, it is possible that witnesses' memories of the incident had faded.

Prosecuting attorney Tom Flanagan defended the credibility of the witnesses, and argued that Carter had changed his story more than once.

"Four separate independent witnesses identified Vernon Carter" as the shooter, according to Flanagan.

One witness who identified Carter had met the man at least five times that year, Flanagan argued.

Carter initially told police that he was outside drinking and smoking marijuana at the party, and was not even aware that a "fight" had occurred. Eventually, he admitted to police that he had a gun while he was at the party, but maintained that another person had committed the shooting.

"Outright lies," Flanagan said. "Each statement riddled with lies and inconsistencies."

Flanagan went on to describe the events that led up to the fatal shooting.

"They were trying to make time with some Wareham girls — that crew from New Bedford — and getting nowhere," said Flanagan.

Flanagan said that Carter attempted to flirt with a female partygoer, but she ignored his advances and sat down on a couch next to a male witness.

Shortly thereafter, Carter approached the male witness that she'd sat next to and said "run your chain," while pointing a gun at him, in an attempt to steal a gold chain.

Monteiro tried to diffuse the situation, but Carter turned on Monteiro. Carter fired two shots that didn't hit Monteiro before firing the fatal shot.

"It was an act of ruthlessness," said Flanagan.

In the wake of his death Scotty Monteiro's family and friends created the "Scotty Monteiro Jr. Foundation, Stop the Violence," a nonprofit organization that supports anti-violence educational programs in schools and in the greater community.

After the verdict came out, the family posted a reaction to the foundation's Facebook page: "Scotty got justice. It was evident to everyone who attended the jury's verdict (and there was many) that Scotty was a great kid, and what a senseless act of violence. Thank you all for the love, prayers and support. It has been a long 3 1/2 years. This will not bring Scotty back but 4/5/13 was a great day!"

The foundation holds fundraisers including an annual golf tournament at Bay Pointe Country Club, and an annual Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament.

The organization has also helped bring motivational speakers such as Chris Herren (a former Boston Celtic who speaks to students about his past issues with addiction, and tries to motivate them to stay on a positive path) to Wareham High School, as well as the anti-violence presentation Rachael's Challenge "Chain Reaction" event.

Rachael's Challenge is named for Rachael Scott who was murdered during the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.

Donations to the foundation may be mailed to Scotty Monteiro Jr. Foundation, PO Box 994, Onset MA, 02558.

Click here to visit the foundation's Facebook page.