Press Release  21-Year Old Murder Charge Dropped

Salem, Massachusetts — Angel Echavarria, whose murder conviction was recently overturned, will not be re-tried at this time, District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett announced today.

“Given the lapse in time, our inability to locate witnesses and the lack of forensic evidence not affected by time, it is not feasible to re-try the case at this time,” District Attorney Blodgett said.

Essex Assistant District Attorney A.J. Camelio filed a nolle prosequi to the indictments charging Echavarria, with murder, armed assault in a dwelling (two counts), and armed robbery, which ceases the prosecution.

On April 30, 2015, Judge David Lowy allowed Echavarria’s motion for a new trial based upon the ineffective assistance of counsel.  In January 1996, Echavarria was convicted of first-degree murder for the January 7, 1994 shooting death of Daniel Rodriguez in Lynn.  He was sentenced to life in prison.  His conviction was upheld by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on December 22, 1998.

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