SECOND MAN CONVICTED IN YOUNG WOMAN’S CROSSFIRE DEATH April 7, 2009 A Suffolk Superior Court jury today found a second man guilty in the 2007 shooting death of a 22-year-old Kentucky native, returning a first-degree murder conviction for the man prosecutors said “set in motion the chain of events that led directly to the death of Chiara Levin,” Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced. MANUEL “SPANK” ANDRADE (D.O.B. 10/30/73) faces a mandatory life term without the possibility parole for Levin’s murder. Jurors also convicted Andrade of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to kill for shooting a man in the chest moments before Levin was killed; assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to kill for pointing a gun at CASIMIRO BARROS (D.O.B. 6/10/86) and then shooting at him in the firefight that killed Levin; and unlawful possession of a firearm. “It doesn’t matter who fired the fatal shot,” Conley said. “Massachusetts law allows a first-degree murder conviction when an innocent bystander is killed in the gunfight you started.” During almost two weeks of testimony that began on the two-year anniversary of Levin’s death, Assistant District Attorney Edmond Zabin introduced about 200 physical exhibits and the testimony of about 30 witnesses to demonstrate that Andrade and several associates met Levin and two of her friends outside a Tremont Street nightclub in the early morning hours of March 24, 2007. Andrade invited them to an after-hours party at 415 Geneva Ave. While they were at that party, the evidence showed, Barros and some of his associates arrived. Barros and Andrade were on opposite sides of a rivalry within Boston’s Cape Verdean community. Both men were carrying loaded semiautomatic handguns – Barros a 9mm and Andrade a .380. At some point, Andrade and his associates, including Levin and her friends, made their way out of the house. All but Andrade entered Andrade’s cousin’s Cadillac Escalade. After a short conversation between Andrade and his cousin, Andrade walked back into the party as his cousin backed the Escalade to the intersection outside. Inside the party, Andrade engaged one of Barros’ associates, threw a plate of food in his face, and shot him in the chest. As he walked back out of the residence, he pointed his gun at Barros and backed toward the Escalade. Barros followed him out and produced his own firearm. Levin was struck in the head during the gunfight that followed. Andrade’s cousin dropped Andrade off at nearby Adams Street, then continued on to Boston Medical Center, where the young woman died of her injuries. Barros was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and other offenses after his February trial. He is currently serving a 40-year state prison sentence. He was represented by attorney Christopher Belezos. “At the end of the day, no verdict and no sentence can give a daughter back to the parents who lost her,” Conley said. “We only hope that these two trials and these two convictions can bring the Levin family some satisfaction that justice was done. To the others out there who would bring their guns onto our streets, let this be clear: it doesn’t matter who you mean to shoot. There will be accountability and harsh punishment for the recklessness that has already taken too many young lives.” Andrade was represented by attorney Rosemary Scapicchio. Judge Frank Gaziano will sentence him tomorrow morning at 9:00 in courtroom 906. Return to the Press Releases page.