Roque Sentenced to Prison in Binghamton University Killing

Michael Roque is heading for state prison after being sentenced for the April stabbing death of fellow Binghamton University student Joao Souza.

Investigators released this surveillance image of the alleged killer inside Windham Hall in April 2018. (Image: Binghamton University Police)

The 20-year-old Roque was sentenced to 20 years to life Tuesday morning by Broome County Court Judge Kevin Dooley.

Roque pleaded guilty in September to second-degree murder in connection with the April 15 killing of Souza. Authorities had said the 19-year-old Souza was repeatedly stabbed inside Windham Hall, a dorm on the university's Vestal campus.

Roque was taken into custody in his dorm room the day after the fatal attack on the engineering student.

Roque tried to withdraw his guilty plea but Dooley rejected the request. He had claimed he actually was innocent but his attorney had not properly advised him. He contended he had been pressured into pleading guilty.

Binghamton University held no classes on the day after Joao Souza was killed on the Vestal campus. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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