Trial Rescheduled for Man Charged in Death of Milford's Matthew Denice

A new trial date has been set for Nicolas Guaman, the man charged with striking and killing Matthew Denice of Milford in 2011. 

The trial, which was originally set for Thursday, April 3, was delayed last week and rescheduled for Thursday, May 7 in Worcester Superior Court, Tim Connolly, a spokesperson for the Worcester County District Attorney's office confirmed to Milford Patch. 

Guaman is facing multiple charges in connection with the death of Matthew Denice, a Framingham State University graduate who was struck and killed on Aug. 20, 2011 while riding his motorcycle on Congress Street in Milford. 

Guaman, an illegal immigrant from Ecuador, is accused of allegedly striking and dragging Denice down the road when he failed to stop his vehicle. He pleaded not guilty in Milford District Court last August to charges of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor, negligent operation, leaving the scene of personal injury and death, possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, failure to stop for police, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop or held, resisting arrest and wanton or reckless conduct creating risk to a child. Guaman's 6-year-old son was reportedly in his truck at the time of the incident. 

In November, a Superior Court judge found Guaman competent to be tried in the death of Denice. The issue of Guaman's competency was first raised by his attorneys in 2012. A conviction of second degree murder, the most serious charge, would carry a maximum sentence of 15 years.

Denice's mother, Maureen Maloney, has spoken out against a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. Supporters of the new Safe Driving Bill, or Bill H.3285, pose that it would make drivers safer because illegal immigrants would have to be trained in the rules of the road and pass written and road tests before getting a license.

Maloney has received widespread support on her opposition to the bill, and Milford resident Tina Galstian started an online petition against the bill. 

The bill itself has had a mix of supporters and opponents, and last month, Celia J. Blue of the Registry of Motor vehicles said the bill would generate close to $15 million in revenue for the state through license fees, as well as $7.5 million in renewal fees every five years, according to the Boston Globe. 

The Safe Driving Bill has been extended until May 15, according to the Safe Driving Coalition.