MURDER TRIAL NEARS FOR MAN CHARGED IN DEADLY ’01 BLAZE Feb. 20, 2008 Jury selection is expected to begin tomorrow in the trial of a man accused setting fire to a Dorchester apartment building seven years ago, killing a 53-year-old man instead of the rival gang member whom prosecutors believe was his intended target. ERIC KING, 35 (D.O.B. 1/19/73), of Dorchester is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Shelby Caddell, a disabled man who lived on the second floor of 41-43 Port Norfolk Street, in the early morning hours of Aug. 24, 2001. Caddell died of smoke inhalation when he was unable to escape the quick-moving blaze. Boston Fire Department rescue workers found him partially covered by a mattress in an apparent attempt to protect himself from the flames. Chemical analysis by Boston Fire Department arson investigators showed that the fire started on the building’s front porch, which had been doused in gasoline. Evidence developed in the course of an extensive investigation by Boston Police homicide detectives and prosecutors assigned to the Suffolk DA’s Homicide Unit suggests that King, associated with the Esmond Street area, poured gasoline on the porch and set the fire in an attempt to kill a man associated with the Franklin Hill area. The investigation revealed that Franklin Hill associates had shot at Esmond Street associates on the night of Aug. 23 as part of an ongoing rivalry between the two groups. King’s co-defendant, BRENDAN MORRIS (D.O.B. 4/7/82) of Mattapan, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with Caddell’s death in the fatal fire, admitting to buying gasoline with King and driving with him to Port Norfolk Street at about 5:00 a.m. on Aug. 24. A third defendant, TAMIA BROWN (D.O.B. 7/1/83) of Hyde Park, pleaded guilty as an accessory before the fact to Caddell’s murder for directing the two men to the Port Norfolk Street building in which the alleged target lived. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Collins is prosecuting the case and Morris is represented by attorney Bruce Carroll. A judge and courtroom will be announced tomorrow. Return to the Press Releases page.