Boston man sentenced after strangling NY man in 2011

For murdering a New York man who gave him a place to stay, then stealing his credit card, a Boston man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on Tuesday.

Raymond Epps, 59, of Boston was convicted of murder and theft charges in January 2015 for the 2011 murder of 62-year-old Wayne Graves of Woodside, Queens, according to a release from District Attorney Richard Brown’s office.

“The defendant repaid his benefactor’s generous act of kindness by strangling him in his own home and then stealing his credit cards, which he used to buy a bus ticket back to Boston and various merchandise which he traded for drugs,” Brown said in a written statement.”His actions warrant the lengthy prison sentence.”

Prosecutors alleged that Epps met Graves at the Port Authority Bus Terminal and stayed with Graves from Oct. 16-18.

On Oct. 19, Graves was found dead in his bathtub, according to the release.

Eppsused Graves’ credit card to purchase a bus ticket home and to buy several items in Boston, which he then used to buy crack cocaine, the release said.