Press Release  Haverhill Man Guilty in Random Beating

Salem, Massachusetts — A 23-year old Haverhill man was sentenced to 19.5 to 25 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of brutally beating another man on a Haverhill street in 2013.

Rodney McCray was convicted of Assault & Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault & Battery today in Salem Superior Court following a 5 day trial.  The jury returned a not guilty on a Witness Intimidation charge.

Judge Timothy Feeley imposed a sentence of 19.5 to 25 years in prison followed by 3 years of probation during which McCray must attend anger management and stay away from and have no contact with the victim.

“This was a brazen, random and horrific attack perpetrated on an innocent man,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.  “While nothing can restore what was taken from the victim that day, this severity of this sentence reflects appalling and depraved nature of this crime.”

Essex Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick introduced evidence that proved that on August 30, 2013 at 2:30 in the afternoon, McCray attacked the victim, a 31-year old landscaper, while he was walking on Winter Street in Haverhill.   McCray and another man, Roberto Hilerio, 22, began punching and kicking the victim after he walked past them.  They continued beating him despite his efforts to protect himself and finally, McCray picked the victim up and slammed his head first into the pavement.  The men then continued to kick him as he lay in the road.

ADA Strasnick told the jury that, “this was not a fight.  This was a vicious, unprovoked attack on an unsuspecting victim.”  The victim suffered massive head injuries, has had multiple brain surgeries and is confined to a wheelchair.  He cannot use his right arm and relies on a feeding tube to eat.

Roberto Hilerio pleaded guilty to his role in the attack on July 29, 2014 and was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison.

Essex Assistant District Attorney James Gubitose second seated ADA Strasnick and Essex Victim Witness Advocate Jennifer Capone provided support to the victim.  ADA Strasnick praised the work of Haverhill Police Officers Meaghan Buckley and Bryan Bailey and Massachusetts State Police Trooper Brian O’Neill.

McCray was represented by Attorneys John and Nicholas Morris.

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