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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.
Supreme Judicial Court affirms
the first degree murder conviction of George J. Nardi
September 26, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that the Supreme Judicial Court has affirmed the first degree murder conviction of
George J. Nardi in a unanimous decision handed down yesterday.
On May 5, 2006, following a six day jury trial in Brockton Superior Court, George Nardi was convicted of first degree murder by reason of extreme atrocity and cruelty for the
December 2002 killing of his mother, Diane Barchard. He was sentenced to serve life
in prison without the possibility of parole.
In the fall of 2002, thirty-seven year old George Nardi lived in a small, second-floor apartment with his fifty-nine year old mother, Dianne Barchard.
Beginning on December 16, 2002, Diane Barchard failed to show up for work, and friends and family could not get in touch with her. Over the next two weeks, each time that friends or family would call to check on her, George Nardi would answer the phone and give various excuses as to why his mother was not available. In the meantime, Nardi appeared at his friends' house on Christmas Eve with a bottle of his favorite drink and proposing a toast.
He also gave them gifts, including a gold anklet chain, a pair of diamond earrings, and a Nautica wallet, which were much more lavish than anything he had given in the past.
At trial, a witness testified that she had been with Diane Barchard when she purchased the gold anklet chain and Nautica wallet as gifts for her daughter-in-law and boss.
During this time Bachard's friends also noticed that her bedroom window was wide open in the middle of the winter, which was unusual because she hated to be cold. When the police went to the apartment on December 30, 2002 because her friend had reported that she was missing, they found a disheveled looking Nardi on the stairwell. Police arrested him on an outstanding warrant. When asked about his mother's whereabouts, Nardi told police that Barchard was staying with a friend in Bourne. Nardi then consented to the police request to check the apartment. On entering the apartment, the police observed a locked door off the kitchen area with a flannel shirt tucked like a runner at the threshold. Believing Barchard to be in the locked room, the police forced the door open with a door jam spreader. Inside, police found Barchard's badly decomposing body covered by a blue blanket on the bedroom floor.
Subsequent forensic examination of the apartment revealed human blood stains, both visible and latent, in the kitchen, mainly near the washing machine, on a mop head, on Nardi's left foot, and in a trail pattern from the kitchen to Barchard's bedroom. Testing revealed that the DNA profile obtained from the stain on Nardi's foot indicated a mixture of DNA from at least two individuals; Barchard matched the major profile and Nardi was a potential contributor to the minor profile. An expert witness, Dr. McDonough, testified to injuries observed on Barchard's face and neck during the course of the autopsy and opined that the facial injuries were consistent with a hand being placed over Barchard's mouth and nose and pressure being applied. He also testified that the cause of death was consistent with asphyxia by suffocation.
In a unanimous decision, the court rejected the defendant's claim on appeal that his conviction should be overturned because his right to confront the witnesses against him was violated when a pathologist, called by the Commonwealth, was permitted to testify based on the findings from an autopsy performed by another pathologist who was unavailable to testify at the time of trial. The court also rejected the defendant's claim that a check forged by the defendant with Bachard's signature was unauthenticated, and that the trial judge failed to properly explain the concept of deliberate premeditation.
District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz stated, "We are pleased with the court's decision today affirming George Nardi's conviction for first degree murder by extreme atrocity and cruelty. This was a difficult and disturbing case. Today's decision not only brings some long overdue justice for Diane Barchard, but also hopefully, some closure for her loved ones."
Bristol County Grand Jury Indicts Peter J. Costanza
September 19, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that a Bristol County Grand Jury has retuned indictments charging Peter Joseph Costanza
(DOB 7-11-69) with the following crimes:
- Indecent Assault and Battery on a person over 14
- Indecent Assault and Battery on a person over 14
- Assault and Battery
- Extortion
- Intimidation of a Witness
- Public Corruption
- Public Corruption
- Intimidation of a Witness
No further comment will be made at this time.
Guilty verdict returned
Commonwealth v. Thomas Pratt
September 18, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA A 41 year old Brockton man was found guilty on Friday
September 12, 2008, of gun and drug charges following a 2 day jury trial in
Brockton Superior court.
A jury found Thomas Pratt (DOB 3-23-67) of 62 Royal Road, Brockton, guilty of the following crimes that were committed in Brockton on Feb 22, 2005:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- Possession of Class B Cocaine
- Possession of Class B Methadone
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (2 counts)
- Unlawful Possession of Ammunition
James Arroyo. A search warrant was also executed at the defendant's residence by Narcotics Detectives from the Brockton Police Department and troopers from the
State Police Detectives Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office.
Following the jury's verdict, there was a bench trial before Judge Elizabeth Donovan,
where the defendant was also found guilty of a Subsequent Offense of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and two counts of Violation of the State Armed Career Criminal Statute.
Two Boston police witnesses testified at the bench trial that Pratt was same person arrested and convicted in Boston for Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin back in 2000.
After his conviction on the penalty-enhancing indictments, the defendant was sentenced to five years in state prison, and a one year period of probation to begin after his release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Thomas Flanagan.
Fatal Shooting in Hanson, MA
September 15, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
HANSON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced that there was a shooting in Hanson today that left one man dead and one man seriously injured.
At approximately 1:44 p.m., Hanson Police received a call reporting a shooting at
12 East Washington Street in Hanson.
When officers arrived at that location they found one man dead and another man suffering from what appeared to be a gun shot wound to the back. The injured man was taken to
a local hospital where he remains in serious condition.
The names of the two men are not being released at this time.
District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and Hanson Police Chief Edward Savage will be making a brief statement at the scene at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Dangerousness Hearing re-scheduled
for Commonwealth v. Peter Pearson
August 27, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that the dangerousness hearing for Peter Pearson has been continued to Wednesday, September 3, 2008 in Brockton District Court.
There will be no further comment at this time.
Bail Review Hearing held in Superior Court
for Jeffrey D. Witham
August 22, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that Jeffrey D. Witham (DOB 8-22-89), appeared in Brockton Superior Court for a
bail review hearing.
The District Attorney's Office requested that the defendant be released on his personal recognizance with the following conditions:
-
1. A stay away order from the victims and witnesses in the case
2. A stay away order from all children under age 16, except his own children
3. That the defendant report to Probation weekly by phone and monthly in person
The case is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on September 18, 2008.
There will be no further comment at this time.
Bail Hearing scheduled in Plymouth District Court
for Jeffrey D. Witham
August 20, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
PLYMOUTH, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that Jeffrey D. Witham (DOB 8-22-89) will be brought into Plymouth District Court
at 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Witham has been charged with an alleged sexual assault which took place in Marshfield on Sunday, August 17, 2008.
The Commonwealth has requested that Mr. Witham be brought into court to re-address bail based on new information from one of the witnesses.
Arrest of Jeffrey D. Witham
August 18, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
MARSHFIELD, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that at approximately 12:30 a.m., on Monday, August 18, 2008, Jeffrey D. Witham
(DOB 8-22-89) of Oxford, Maine was placed under arrest by Marshfield Police and charged with the following:
At approximately 11:45 p.m., on Sunday, August 17, 2008, Marshfield Police received a report that a 13 year old girl and a 14 year old girl were sexually assaulted by a male employee of Fiesta Shows, which was in town for the Marshfield Fair.
After an investigation, police located Jeffrey Witham on South River Street in Marshfield and placed him under arrest. The alleged sexual assault took place at a private home in Marshfield earlier in the evening.
The defendant was arraigned today in Plymouth District Court. He was held on
$150,000 cash bail. His next court date is scheduled for September 5, 2008.
The defendant is represented by Attorney Kate Iaccarino.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Indictment of Brian D. Knippers
August 15, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that Brian D. Knippers (DOB 4-30-73) of New Market, New Hampshire has been indicted by a Plymouth County Grand Jury in connection with a series of brutal sexual assaults in the Brockton area between October 2005 and August 2007.
The Grand Jury returned indictments on Friday, August 8, 2008, charging the defendant with the following crimes:
The defendant is currently being held without bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 in Brockton Superior Court.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Seven defendants indicted
in connection with June 12, 2008 beating in Marshfield.
August 14, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
MARSHFIELD, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced that seven defendants have been indicted by a Plymouth County Grand Jury in connection with the June 12, 2008, beating which took place on Careswell Street in Marshfield.
The defendants have been charged as follows:
Amanda Kelley (DOB 7-31-88)
Paul J. Berchtold (DOB 9-29-89)
Jay P. Rains (DOB 6-4-89)
Christopher M. Bratlie (DOB 4-25-86)
Kevin P. Shdeed
Jeffrey Cappello (DOB 4-27-88)
Michael R. Anderson (DOB 7-3-88)
Arraignment dates will be scheduled for later in the month.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Investigation into the death of Deavante Muldergrant
July 29, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced the fatal shooting of a 15 year old male in the City of Brockton last night. Shortly after midnight, Brockton Police responded to a call of shots fired. Upon arrival, Officers located the victim, Deavante Muldergrant (DOB 11-22-92) of Dorchester. Muldergrant appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a local hospital and was then transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital by med-flight helicopter. He was pronounced dead at approximately 4:00 a.m.
The shooting death is being investigated by the State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office and Brockton Police Detectives. Anyone with information is urged to contact investigators at (508) 941-0234.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Investigation into the death of Jarrod J. Mooney
July 11, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
HINGHAM, MA On Thursday, July 10, 2008, at approximately 8:28 P.M., the Hingham Police Department received a call from Hull Police reporting that a motor vehicle was speeding into Hingham.
The speeding vehicle, a Buick that had been stolen in Quincy earlier in the day, had just left the scene of a hit and run in the town of Hull. The Hull Police pursued the stolen Buick for approximately one mile on George Washington Boulevard in Hull. The stolen Buick then continued at a high rate of speed into the town of Hingham.
A few minutes later, the Buick crossed into the on-coming eastbound lane of traffic and struck a minivan. The driver of the stolen Buick, Jarrod J. Mooney, (DOB 12-15-82), was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The driver of the minivan, a female from Hingham, was taken to an area hospital and appears to have non-life threatening injuries.
The case is under investigation by State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office. The State Police Accident Reconstruction Team also responded.
There will be no further comment at this time.
18 individuals are arrested for the sale and distribution
of illegal narcotics in the City of Brockton
June 18, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz today announced the arrest of 18 individuals for the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics in the City of Brockton. The arrests follow an investigation by the State Police Gang Unit and the Brockton Police Department.
The arrest warrants were executed yesterday in a coordinated effort by members of the State Police Gang Unit assisted by the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office, the Brockton Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Massachusetts Parole, and the State Police Community Action Team
(D-CAT). Over 50 law enforcement agents swept the streets of Brockton searching for the wanted defendants.
The investigation was funded largely through the Brockton Weed and Seed grant which is administered by District Attorney Cruz's office. Weed and Seed is a Department of Justice grant initiative to help communities weed out drug and criminal activity, while seeding in community programs and neighborhood restoration efforts. It was also funded by Project Safe Neighborhoods, which was initiated by President Bush in 2001, and is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and provides these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful.
District Attorney Cruz stated, "The State Police Gang Unit is to be commended for their hard work in this investigation. Once again, they have sent a strong message to those who want to peddle drugs and violence in this City that their behavior will not be tolerated. We are watching you and we will put you out of business and behind bars. I also want to commend the Brockton Police Department, the State Police Detectives from my office, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Massachusetts Parole, and the State Police Community Action Team (D-CAT) who helped arrest these defendants. I cannot emphasize enough that these officers put their own lives at risk in order to rid the streets of Brockton from drug dealing and the violence it brings. I am very pleased with the swiftness and professionalism with which these arrests were effectuated."
The following defendants were arrested and charged in Brockton District Court:
- Earl W. Jones, DOB: 2/18/74, 33 Oakdale Street, Brockton, MA
- Keon Hendrix, DOB: 12/2/89, 86 Battles Street, Brockton, MA
- Kie Hendrix, DOB: 12/2/86, 86 Battles Street, Brockton, MA
- Brian E. Givens, DOB: 10/30/69, 35 Forest Avenue, #3, Brockton, MA
- Brian F. Marsh, DOB: 9/22/67, 15 E. Main Street, #2, Brockton, MA
- Kevin F. Rollins, DOB: 6/26/68, 23 South Street, Randolph, MA
- Virgilio Rosa, DOB: 3/26/88, 52 Dyer Street, #2, Brockton, MA
- Ralph Hyppolite, DOB: 11/25/86, 101 Newbury Street, Brockton, MA
- Anthony F. Johnson, DOB: 4/11/63, 164 Ames Street, Brockton, MA
- Brandon Miller, DOB: 1/8/87, 75 Auburn Street, Brockton, MA
- Nadine Brown, DOB: 1/30/63, 41B Crosby Road, Brockton, MA
- Izaldo F. Amado, DOB: 8/28/81, 31 Arlington Street, Brockton, MA
- Darrell Brown, DOB: 1/11/67, 48 Merton Street, Brockton, MA
- Kenneth Strothers, DOB: 8/4/64, 47 Standish Street, Brockton, MA
- Joshua R. Drayton, DOB: 12/31/85, 43 Highland Avenue, Apt. 27, Randolph, MA
- Olivio Correia, DOB: 9/5/90, 231 Forest Avenue, Brockton, MA
- Sabrina Maxwell, DOB: 2/23/80, Homeless
- Marvin Hunt, DOB 2/3/81, of 4 West Park Street, #3, Brockton, MA
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near Schoo/Park
Charges: Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Substance
Distribution of Class B Substance, Subsequent Offense
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Resisting Arrest
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance, Subsequent Offense
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Charges: Distribution of Counterfeit Drug
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance, Subsequent Offense
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Substance, Subsequent Offense
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance, Subsequent Offense
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Charges: Possession with Intent to Distribute Class A Substance
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Substance
Distribution of Class B Substance
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance, Subsequent Offense
Possession of Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Charges: Possession of Class B Substance
Distribution of Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Charges: Distribution of Class D Substance
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class D Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park
Charges: Distribution of Class B Substance
Possession with Intent to Distribution Class B Substance
Drug Violation Near School/Park; and Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
was arrested and brought to the United States District Court in Boston to face federal charges stemming from this investigation.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said, "Those who are involved with gang violence, drugs and illegal guns should heed today's message: If you use, carry, possess or distribute drugs or guns in the City of Brockton, if you threaten the safety of this community - we will arrest you and prosecute you using the full array of federal and state resources at our disposal. The law abiding, decent and good people of Brockton deserve nothing less, and we will not stand by and allow a handful of criminals to disrupt the lives and neighborhoods of this community."
"The Massachusetts State Police and our law enforcement partners will not allow drug dealers to diminish the quality of life for the Brockton community. We will harness our collective efforts, today and every day, to take back the streets from drug peddlers" stated Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police.
Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Warren T. Bamford, said, "The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eradicate gangs in our communities. The criminal activities of these groups have a disparate impact on the quality of life and must be vigorously investigated."
Investigation into the death of Michael K. Shea
June 10, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
PLYMOUTH, MA Plymouth Police received a call today at 6:43 a.m. to respond to
11 Savery Lane in Plymouth for a call of a deceased male.
Upon arrival, police found Michael K. Shea (DOB 7-28-58) deceased in his home.
There will be an autopsy later today to determine the cause and manner of death.
The case is under investigation by the State Police Detectives assigned to the
Plymouth County District Attorney's Office and the Plymouth Police Department.
Investigators will await the autopsy result to determine if the death is suspicious.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Shooting on Turner Street in Brockton
June 9, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, today announced that there was a fatal shooting in the city of Brockton last night.
At approximately 11:02 p.m., Brockton Police received a call regarding shots fired in the area of 64 Turner Street. Upon arrival, police found the victim in the yard between 51 and 69 Turner Street. The victim, later identified as Bensney Toussaint (DOB 3-3-82) of 25 Clarence Street, Brockton, appeared to be suffering from gun shot wounds to the chest.
He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The case is being investigated by State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office and Brockton Police Detectives. No one is under arrest at this time.
Roy L. Hunt of Brockton, is found to be a Sexually Dangerous Person
under
MGL. Ch.123A, Sec.1, 12-16 by a Brockton Superior Court Jury
June 5, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, today announced that a Brockton Superior Court Jury, has found Roy L. Hunt, (DOB 1-11-58) of Brockton,
to be a Sexually Dangerous Person under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 123A, Section 1, 12-16.
Hunt pleaded guilty in 1990 to three counts of Rape of Child. He was sentenced to serve
8-15 years in prison.
On June 4, 2004, at the conclusion of his sentence, prosecutors filed a petition to have
Hunt committed as a Sexually Dangerous Person under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 123A, Section 1, 12-16.
The trial on the Commonwealth's petition began on May 27, 2008 in Brockton Superior Court and concluded on June 3, 2008. There were six expert witnesses and 22 exhibits entered into evidence.
The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before retuning with a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that Hunt was a Sexually Dangerous Person. Hunt was committed to the treatment center at Bridgewater State Hospital for one day to life. Judge Jeffrey Locke presided over the proceedings.
The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office receives a $100,000 Grant from
The United States Attorney's Office to address local gun and gang problems
June 5, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced receiving an award of $100,000 from the Office of United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan.
This funding comes from the Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) Initiative.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful.
The Bush Administration committed over $1.5 billion to this effort since PSN's inception in 2001. This funding is being used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training, distribute gun lock safety kits, deter juvenile gun crime, and develop and promote community outreach efforts as well as to support other gun violence reduction strategies.
The $100,000 grant will be used to continue this important work in the city of Brockton.
The funds will support prevention and outreach programs, as well as fund criminal investigations by the State Police and Brockton Police.
District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz stated, "These funds will go a long way in helping us continue our multi-front battle against the gun and street violence that has plagued the city of Brockton. The funds will help us reduce firearm related crime and violence by identifying the hot spots where the violence occurs, as well as, those serious repeat offenders who create most of the violence. On the prevention side, these funds will allow us to continue to support community and faith based outreach programs, to provide training and technical assistance in gang awareness for the faculty of the Brockton Public Schools and to support the Mayor's Summer Faith Based Youth Employment program".
"This grant exemplifies the collaboration that currently exists between all levels of government," said Mayor James E. Harrington. "Our youth face all kinds of barriers in their daily lives; this grant will without a doubt help ease the stresses placed by our budgetary constrains and allow us to augment the services that we are currently providing to the children of Brockton".
The First Degree Murder conviction of Michael T. Burnham for the 1985 murder of 21 month old Rachelle Pelletier, is upheld by the Supreme Judicial Court
May 27, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA The Supreme Judicial Court today upheld the First Degree Murder conviction of Michael T. Burnham for the 1985 murder of 21 month old Rachelle Pelletier. Rachel Pelletier died on March 7, 1985, from peritonitis caused by a traumatically severed small intestine. At the time of her death Rachelle also had bruises on her forehead, cheek, chin, left shoulder, abdomen and right thigh.
The case remained unsolved until May 2002, when a Plymouth County Grand Jury indicted Burnham and Rachelle's mother, Margaret Earle, for her murder.
A Brockton Superior Court jury convicted Burnham in 2005 of murder in the first degree by extreme atrocity and cruelty for stomping on the toddler's abdomen and severing her small intestine.
Margaret Earle, who was tried separately, was convicted of 2nd degree murder for failing to get Rachelle medical care. Her appeal is pending.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz stated:
"This defendant viciously stomped on a defenseless child and left her to die.
As the court noted in its opinion, the facts in this case warranted nothing short of a finding of murder.
As a result of the hard work of prosecutors and investigators, Michael Burnham will spend the rest of his life in prison. There is finally justice for Rachelle Pelletier."
Jeffrey Milton is arrested for
the February 16, 2008 murder of Edward Conley
May 27, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, today announced the arrest and arraignment of Jeffrey Milton (DOB 10-19-90), of 28 Massasoit Ave, Brockton.
Milton is charged with murder, attempted armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the February 16, 2008, shooting of Brockton cab driver,
Edward Conley.
Milton turned himself in, to investigators at the Brockton Police Department on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at approximately 7:00 p.m. He was arraigned today in the Brockton District Court. He entered pleas of not guilty.
The next court date is on June 17, 2008, for a Probable Cause Hearing.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Norman J. Finizio, of Halifax, MA is arrested and arraigned in District Court
on a charge
of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under the Age of Fourteen
May 22, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
HALIFAX, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, today announced the arrest and arraignment of Norman J. Finizio, (DOB 04-19-62), of 1 White Island Road in Halifax.
Finizio is charged with one count of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under the Age of Fourteen. The indecent assault and battery took place at the defendant's home approximately one year ago. The female victim was nine years old at the time.
She is not related to the defendant.
Halifax Police began investigating the case on Monday, May 19, 2008. Today, they sought and obtained an arrest warrant from the Plymouth District Court charging the defendant with one count of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under the Age of Fourteen.
The defendant was arrested without incident later today in Quincy. He was booked at the Halifax Police Department and then transported to the Plymouth District Court for arraignment. The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.
Prosecutors moved to have the defendant held without bail pursuant to the dangerousness statute.
A dangerousness hearing is scheduled for Wednesday May 28, 2008. The defendant is being held without bail pending the hearing.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Antonio Fernandes is arrested for
the February 16, 2008 murder of Edward Conley
May 19, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, today announced the arrest of Antonio Fernandes, (DOB 9-9-91), of Brockton, for the February 16, 2008 fatal shooting of Edward Conley, (DOB 10-30-51), which took place on Galen Street in Brockton.
On Friday, May 16, 2008, Brockton and State Police Detectives sought and obtained an arrest warrant from the Brockton District Court charging the defendant with one count of murder, attempted armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The defendant was located by Detectives in the area of Center Street and Massasoit Avenue in Brockton. He was arrested without incident.
Antonio Fernandes was arraigned today in the Brockton District Court, and was held
without bail. The next court date is June 19, 2008 for a Probable Cause Hearing.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lewis Armistead.
Two Brockton men are found guilty on various
narcotics offenses in
Superior Court. Each receive a sentence of 15 to 17 years in State Prison
May 13, 2008
Contact: Bridget Norton Middleton
(508) 584-8120
BROCKTON, MA Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, today announced that two Brockton men were sentenced to 15 to 17 years in State Prison yesterday after being found guilty of various narcotics offenses in Brockton Superior Court.
Jeffrey Transtamar, (DOB 09-02-83), of Brockton, was found guilty of one count of Trafficking in over 200 grams of Class B Cocaine and two counts of Distribution of
Class B in a School Zone. He was sentenced to 15 to 17 years in State Prison.
Ricardo Charles, (DOB 02-20-79), of Brockton was found guilty of Trafficking in
over 200 grams of Class B Cocaine. He was sentenced to 15 to 17 years in State Prison.
The convictions followed a 3 day jury trial in Brockton Superior Court before
Judge Geoffrey Locke.
The charges stemmed from an August-September 2006 investigation by the State Police into narcotics distribution in the city of Brockton. The investigation included two undercover purchases of cocaine which occurred in August and September of 2006.
A search warrant was also executed in September 2006 at 9 Burton Street, 1st floor, Brockton. As a result of the warrant, police found 700 grams of crack and powder cocaine in the kitchen area of the 9 Burton Street location. They also found 500 grams of crack and powder cocaine on the rooftop of 11 Burton Street.
The investigation was headed by State Police Sgt. James Gilmore and Trooper Michael McCarthy. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Russell Eonas.
