Murders mar the start of the new year in Brockton, New Bedford

By Globe Staff

It didn't take long for 2008 to be marred by a homicide. In Brockton, a teenager allegedly stabbed a man less than an hour after midnight on New Year's Day.

Emmanuel Okoro, 15, of Brockton surrendered today at Brockton police headquarters. He's facing a murder charge in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Markeen Starks, also of Brockton.

Starks was found lying on Skinner Street when police responded to a report of a stabbing at about 12:43 a.m. New Year's Day. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Okoro was to be arraigned this afternoon in Brockton District Court. State and local police have been investigating the case.

The new year also had a tragic start in New Bedford. Authorities there are investigating the shooting death of 15-year-old Edwin Medina. He was shot in the stomach at a party at about 3 a.m. New Year's Day.

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