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ASSOCIATED LINKS
Press Releases
Investigation into the death of Jeffrey Curran
December 23, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
PLYMOUTH, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced
that at approximately 11:44 p.m. Plymouth Police received a call reporting a domestic disturbance at 340 Ship Pond Road in Plymouth. The preliminary investigation indicates that upon arrival,
the officers responded to the basement area where the homeowner, Jeffrey Curran
(DOB 5-17-69), was in a room with a shotgun.
The officers entered the room. Mr. Curran pointed the gun at the officers. The officers then fired their weapons hitting Mr. Curran. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and Mr. Curran was taken by med flight helicopter to a Boston area hospital. He was reported deceased at approximately 7:30 a.m.
An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The weapon was recovered at the scene.
The case is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Body found in the water off the coast of Plymouth is identified
December 21, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
PLYMOUTH, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that the body found in the water off the coast of Plymouth on December 17, 2008 has been identified as William Murphy (DOB 5-30-66) of Arlington.
The Plymouth Police received a missing person report concerning Mr. Murphy.
Upon further investigation, was positively identified by family members.
Autopsy results are pending further testing. No foul play is suspected at this time.
Deceased person found at 27 Turner Avenue in Scituate is identified
December 21, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
SCITUATE, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that the deceased person found at 27 Turner Avenue in Scituate has been identified as David Kupris (DOB 5-4-63) of Marshfield.
An autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the results are pending further testing. The case is under investigation by the State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office and the State Fire Marshall's Office.
The cause and origin of the fire will not be released until the autopsy results are final.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Rick E. Amado of Brockton is found guilty of Murder
in the Second Degree, and Arson of a Dwelling House
December 11, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
KINGSTON, MA A 43 year old Brockton man was found guilty of 2nd Degree Murder and Arson of a Dwelling House following a 6 day jury trial in Brockton Superior court.
On Wednesday December 10, 2008, a jury found Rick E. Amado (DOB 3-18-65) of Brockton, guilty of the aforementioned crimes that were committed in Kingston
on May 7, 2005.
The charges resulted from a fire set by the defendant at 45 Shore Drive in Kingston,
where the victim George Fraser III resided. After being asked to leave that address by
the victim, the defendant later returned to the home, and found the victim incapacitated by alcohol on a living room couch.
After setting a fire in the back bedroom of the house, the defendant fled the residence and left the victim inside, where Mr. Fraser died of smoke inhalation. The defendant was arrested on May 10, 2005 after an investigation led by Det. Sgt. Robert Wells of the Kingston Police Department, and Troopers from the State Police Detectives Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office, led by Trooper Diane Lilly.
Following the jury's verdict, the defendant was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years on the 2nd degree murder conviction, and a concurrent sentence of not less than 19 years and 11 months, not more than 20 years on the Burning of a Dwelling House conviction.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Thomas Flanagan
and Matthew Green.
District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz stated, "I want to commend the investigators in this case. Because of the hard work of both the State Police and the Kingston Police, this defendant will be held accountable for what he did to George Fraser.
I hope that this verdict will provide some closure for his family."
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz
and local police chiefs
partner to improve response to domestic violence
December 5, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has partnered with the 27 police chiefs and three community advocacy agencies throughout the county to increase response to domestic violence.
Over the past eighteen months they have been training each of the 27 police departments regarding domestic violence and sexual assault. The training also included a 911 call-taker training which was held on October 29, 2008 at the Wingate in Kingston, MA.
Since 2002, the County has been awarded federal funds from the Department of Justice Grants to Encourage Arrests programs. This money has been used for multiple domestic violence programs and most recently funded the county-wide police training.
Over the past eighteen months, staff from the District Attorney's Office has conducted extensive police trainings for every department in the county. A total of 27 trainings were offered and 641 officers and 38 dispatchers were trained.
The trainings included updating officers on changes in the law, recognizing and documenting strangulation, identifying the dominant aggressor in domestic violence cases, understanding the realities of living with domestic violence for the victim and children, identifying and understanding characteristics of an abuser and responding to sexual assault. The trainings were designed to enhance police response and develop a county wide cohesive response to domestic violence.
The trainings were coined as homicide prevention. Plymouth County, similar to other counties across Massachusetts has experienced the tragedy of domestic violence homicides.
In 2007, 8 people in Plymouth County lost their lives due to domestic violence. The training encouraged each officer to respond to every domestic violence call, no matter the facts, with homicide prevention in mind.
Law enforcement officers have the opportunity to be part of the prevention strategies that are so important when responding to domestic violence calls. Although we cannot predict the next homicide, we have the opportunity to act in a manner that promotes victim safety and offender accountability.
Over the next two years the District Attorney's office will continue to work with the police chiefs and community advocacy agencies to develop and implement a system within each department to identify high risk offenders and offer increased services to these victims and their children.
Investigation Concluded in September 29, 2008
non-fatal shooting, in Harwich, MA
November 5, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA The State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office have concluded their investigation into the September 29, 2008, non-fatal shooting of a 29 year old man by a Harwich Police Officer. The force used by the officer was appropriate under the circumstances. The investigation is closed. No further commentary will be made until after legal proceedings related to this case are concluded.
The District Attorney's Office receives a grant renewal from
the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women
October 28, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that his office has received a $747,797 grant, along with the town of Hingham, to combat domestic violence on the south shore.
The grant, from the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women, will allow the District Attorney's Office and its partners to continue to provide a comprehensive and coordinated community response to domestic violence. The partners include the 27 police departments across the region, the Brockton Family and Community Resources, the South Shore Women's Resource Center, and the Womansplace Crisis Center.
Since September of 2004, Plymouth County has received $2,360,737 in award monies under this renewed grant. The funds have enabled the District Attorney's Office to train police officers from every police department in Plymouth County and provided each department with digital cameras for evidence collection. The grant has enabled the local domestic violence agencies to provide a civilian police advocate to each police department to provide enhanced services to victims of domestic violence. In 2007, 2,978 domestic violence incident reports were collected by the civilian police advocates. Four area Roundtables on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault that meet monthly have also been established as a result of this funding.
The continued funding will allow the civilian police advocates to continue working within the police departments. It will also provide training to advocates and officers throughout the county on how to assess the level of danger and lethality when assisting a victim or dealing with an offender.
Over the past year, Plymouth County District Attorney Cruz has remained active in providing increased prosecution, community outreach, education and domestic violence services to residents in Plymouth County. The Brockton District Court has a specialized domestic violence unit to prosecute domestic violence cases. This has proven to be an effective tool in increasing victim safety and offender accountability. The four area Roundtables (Brockton, Hingham, Plymouth and Wareham) continued to work on new initiatives to increase individual and community awareness about domestic violence in non-traditional areas.
The goal of the Roundtables is to bring the community together to discuss issues regarding domestic violence and sexual assault, and to share ideas, resources, and knowledge. Each Roundtable has subcommittees and working groups that focus on collaborating with our community partners including law-enforcement, advocacy agencies, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and service providers.
District Attorney Cruz also co-chairs the Plymouth County White Ribbon Campaign with Sheriff Joseph McDonald. The campaign encourages men and boys to speak out against violence against women (included but not limited to domestic violence). Sponsored events in the last year included assemblies in 10 high schools and a conference for over 100 coaches.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz stated, "This grant from the Department of Justice will allow us to continue our important work in helping victims of domestic violence in Plymouth County. October was Domestic Violence awareness month, but the commitment to end domestic violence will not end there.
With this grant, we can continue to work together and strive to make 2009 a year to remember, not by the number of tragedies, but by what we have done to reduce them."
Commonwealth v. David Lima
October 16, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, today announced that a West Bridgewater man has been sentenced to 15 to 18 years in state prison after being convicted on numerous drug offenses in Brockton Superior Court.
Following a three day jury trial, David Lima, (DOB: 10-16-1978), of West Bridgewater, was convicted and sentenced for the following crimes which occurred in Brockton, on
May 2, 2002:
- Trafficking in Cocaine over 200 grams
15 to 18 years State Prison (15 year minimum mandatory sentence) - Trafficking in a School Zone
2.5 to 3 years State Prison (from and after the trafficking sentence) - 2 Counts of Possession of a Firearm
2 years House of Correction - Possession of Ammunition
2 years House of Correction - Possession of a High Capacity Weapon
3 to 7 years State Prison (from and after the trafficking sentence) - Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
2.5 to 3 years State Prison
School Zone- 2.5 to 3 years State Prison - Possession with Intent to distribute-Methamphetamine- 2.5-3 years State Prison School Zone- 2.5 to 3 years State Prison
- 2 Counts of Possession with intent to distribute steroids
6 months House of Correction
School Zone (2 counts)- 2.5 to 3 years State Prison
He was sentenced on October 10, 2008 by Superior Court Judge Maureen Hogan.
The charges followed a two month long investigation into a drug distribution business operated by David Lima.
On May 22, 2002, Brockton and State police officers executed search warrants at two stash houses maintained by David Lima and his associates. Officers searched 29 Goddard Road, Apartment 3N, and recovered 480 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine pills, cash, and related drug distribution paraphernalia (baggies, cutting agents, scales, police scanner). At the same time, Brockton and State police officers searched 191 Belmont Street, second floor, and recovered cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine pills, steroids, and two loaded semi-automatic 9mm handguns. One handgun was loaded with a high capacity feeding device containing 25 rounds of ammunition. David Lima was arrested outside of 29 Goddard Road. The lead investigating officer was Lt. Paul Bonanca of Brockton P.D.
Following the trial David Lima also pleaded guilty to an August 29, 2002, Brockton charge of Possession of Counterfeit Currency and a February 25, 2005, West Bridgewater charge of Trafficking cocaine 100-200 Grams of Cocaine. He received sentences concurrent with the above sentences.
Commonwealth v. Michael Lobo
October 16, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, today announced that Michael Lobo, (DOB 5-12-78) of Brockton, was found guilty on two counts of
Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, in connection with the drive by shooting of two victims that occurred in Brockton, on July 30, 2005.
A jury convicted Lobo on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, following a four day trial in Brockton Superior Court. Lobo was acquitted on three counts of Armed Assault to Murder and one count of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon involving a third victim. The shooting took place on Hancock Street in Brockton.
Judge Richard Chin sentenced Lobo to 5 to 7 years in Walpole.
Verizon Wireless and Plymouth County Law Enforcement
Team Up Against Domestic Violence
October 15, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
Wireless Phone Collection Initiated During Domestic Violence Awareness Month;
District Attorney's Office, Police Departments Offer County-Wide Support
District Attorney's Office, Police Departments Offer County-Wide Support
WOBURN and BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced today that his office and Verizon Wireless will again sponsor a month-long, cross-county wireless phone recycling drive in support of the Verizon Wireless' HopeLine® program.
Throughout October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, HopeLine collection boxes will be placed at police departments throughout the county, the Plymouth County District Attorney's offices in Plymouth, Brockton, Hingham and Wareham, Brockton City Hall, and the Hingham Lighting Plant.
More than 25 police departments will have collection boxes including Abington, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marion, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham and
Whitman, Mass.
Since 2005, the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office has donated almost 5,000 cell phones and accessories to the HopeLine program.
"We are excited to work with Verizon Wireless on this important initiative to help domestic violence survivors. Those of us in law enforcement welcome this help from the business community in addressing such an important issue. Verizon Wireless works every day through its HopeLine program to raise awareness of domestic violence and its consequences at home and in business."
"The company helps domestic violence agencies obtain the resources they need, while standing shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement to assist survivors at many levels. The donation of wireless phones seems a simple, yet greatly beneficial way for the community at large to get involved with this important cause," said District Attorney Cruz.
At the center of HopeLine is a phone-recycling program. Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider at company stores nationwide. Proceeds from the HopeLine recycling program are used to provide wireless phones and financial grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.
Since 2001, HopeLine's national phone recycling and reuse program has collected more than 5.3 million phones, awarded more than $5.6 million in cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations throughout the country and by the end of this year, will have donated more than 80,000 HopeLine phones with 240 million minutes of airtime to victims, survivors, and domestic violence organizations.
"Domestic violence touches all walks of life and does not discriminate against age, race or social class," said Ken Dixon, Verizon Wireless' New England region president. "Donating a phone to HopeLine this October is an easy way to support domestic violence awareness and prevention."
Since 2001, customers have helped Verizon Wireless keep nearly 200 hundred tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills by recycling their wireless phones and accessories through HopeLine.
