BARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) – A man was convicted Monday of murdering a social worker who had recommended that his estranged wife be granted custody of their two children.

Paul Dubois, 40, was found guilty of first degree murder for the Sept. 12, 1996, killing of Department of Social Services employee Linda Silva, according to DSS spokeswoman Denise Monteiro.

Social workers who packed the courtroom broke down crying as the verdict was read, Monteiro said.

“Obviously, they’ve been waiting eight years for this,” she said.

“People have said social work isn’t a dangerous job,” Monteiro said. Silva’s murder “has proved that it is a dangerous job.”

The jury began deliberating Monday morning, and made the decision Monday afternoon, after lawyers presented closing arguments following about four days of testimony.