Two Dorchester men were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole today for shooting an innocent bystander to death with a bullet meant for their rival, whom they also killed, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Suffolk Chief Trial Counsel John Pappas recommended that EMMANUEL PINA a.k.a. EMMANUEL DePINA (D.O.B. 4/25/83) and SANDRO TAVARES (D.O.B. 12/25/83) serve two consecutive life terms each, representing the 2009 murders of Manuel Monteiro, 47, and Jovany Eason, 20, in Dorchester. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Donovan sentenced them to concurrent terms, with an additional concurrent four to five year term for unlawful possession of the firearm used in the Aug. 2, 2009 slayings.

Before imposing the sentences, Donovan heard from members of the slain men’s families.

“He was a hard-working man that worked two jobs but still found time to help family and friends,” Maria Monteiro said of her brother. “I can only pray that you remember my brother, Manuel Monteiro, and realize the sadness you have brought, not just to my family and friends, but to Jovany Eason’s family and your own.”

Eason’s mother also addressed the court.

“I thought about what I would say,” she said of preparing her victim impact statement. “I wanted to hurt you and your families’ hearts the way that you have hurt mine. But that is not how I feel, and that is not who we are … All I can say is, may God have mercy on your souls the way you did not have mercy for my son.”

Today’s hearing followed a two-week trial proving that Monteiro, 47, was working at Ka’Carlos Bar and Grill on Hancock Street and Eason, 20, was a patron when Pina and Tavares arrived shortly after 12:30 a.m. Tavares went inside while Pina waited outside. An argument between Tavares and Eason ensued, with Pina coming into the restaurant and Tavares leaving. The argument continued in the men’s room, from which Monteiro and other restaurant employees later physically removed Pina and escorted him outside. At that point, Tavares was outside the establishment.

Eason later left the restaurant and approached his car outside. Tavares produced a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun and attempted unsuccessfully to rack the slide. Pina approached him, took possession of the weapon, and began chasing Eason.

His arm outstretched at Eason, Pina fired. The round missed its target and instead crashed through one of the restaurant windows and tore into Monteiro’s chest. He died almost instantly. Pina continued to chase Eason, firing repeatedly and ultimately striking him several times. He collapsed on Bird Street and also died of his injuries.

Catherine Rodriguez was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Pina was represented by attorney James Budreau and Tavares by attorney John Moss.