JURY WEIGHING FATE OF SECOND CROSSFIRE DEFENDANT April 3, 2009 “Geneva Avenue … is a street where people live, where they work, where they bring their kids to the bus stop,” Suffolk County’s top homicide prosecutor told a Superior Court jury on Friday. “When you bring a gunfight to a place like that, you are responsible when someone gets killed.” Assistant District Attorney Edmond Zabin spoke of the homicide of 22-year-old Chiara Levin, shot to death early on March 24, 2007, when MANUEL “SPANK” ANDRADE (D.O.B. 10/30/73) allegedly engaged in a shootout with a rival outside a Geneva Avenue house party to which he had invited the victim. Zabin’s remarks were delivered during closing arguments following Andrade’s two-week trial on first-degree murder and other charges. Jurors began deliberating later that day and will continue weighing Andrade’s fate this morning. The man with whom Andrade allegedly traded shots, CASIMIRO BARROS (D.O.B. 6/10/86), was found guilty of his role in Levin’s death after a similar trial in February. “Two men are responsible for the murder of Chiara Levin,” Zabin said, “but the one ultimately responsible is this man,” he said, gesturing toward Andrade. Andrade and some of his associates met Levin and two male friends outside a Tremont Street nightclub and invited them back to an after-hours party near the intersection of Geneva Avenue and Westville Street. Unbeknownst to Levin and her friend, Andrade was carrying a handgun. “The defendant walked into a house party with a loaded gun,” Zabin said, “a .380-caliber piece of metallic courage and all the phony bravado that comes with it.” Inside the party, Andrade encountered Barros and several of his associates. “He didn’t like them,” Zabin said. “They were acting cocky.” Andrade, Levin, and their respective associates left the party. All but the defendant piled into a black Cadillac Escalade driven by Andrade’s cousin. After a short conversation with that man, Andrade re-entered the party while the Escalade pulled into the intersection outside. “The getaway car is ready to go,” Zabin said. Inside 415 Geneva Ave., Andrade allegedly singled out one of Barros’ friends, threw a plate of rice in his face, and then shot him in the chest, Zabin said. As partygoers scattered, Andrade walked out of the home – but not before turning around, flashing his gun at Barros, and smirking, Zabin said. “The two men draw their guns and open fire,” Zabin said. “It’s the defendant who started the gun fight and wanted to finish the gun fight.” During the exchange of gunfire, Levin was struck in the head with a bullet meant for Andrade as she sat in the back seat of the Escalade. Andrade jumped into the waiting vehicle as its driver sped away from the scene; he later bailed out on Adams Street as the vehicle continued to Boston Medical Center, where the young woman was pronounced dead of her injuries. A short time later, the man Andrade allegedly shot in the chest at the party also arrived at the hospital for the gunshot wound to his chest. “These tragic events all stem from the fact that he chose to carry a firearm,” Zabin said of Andrade. “‘Spank’ Andrade turned himself into a ticking time bomb …. He set in motion the events the chain of events that led directly to the death of Chiara Levin.” Andrade is represented by attorney Rosemary Scapicchio. Judge Frank Gaziano is presiding in courtroom 906 of Suffolk Superior Court. Return to the Press Releases page.