Press Release  Jury finds Thomas Latanowich Guilty

Cape and Islands District — PRESS RELEASE

Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe announced today that a Barnstable Superior Court Jury found Thomas Latanowich (DOB 7-14-88) guilty of Murder in the Second Degree in connection with the killing of Yarmouth police officer Sergeant Sean Gannon.  The jury deliberated for three days before returning a verdict Friday morning.

The jury also found the defendant guilty of all additional indictments submitted to them.  The jury’s findings triggered a further indictment which could not be given to this jury until after their findings. That indictment alleged that based on the jury’s findings in the trial, the defendant was an armed career criminal. 

Latanowich waived his right to have this jury hear the evidence in that case and instead plead guilty before Judge Locke.  Judge Locke found Latanowich guilty and imposed the following sentences:

1.  Murder  G.L.c.265 §1 : life with parole eligibility at 25 years on and after the sentences below which run concurrent with each other

2. Aggravated A& B with a Dangerous Weapon  G.L. c.265 §15A (c) (i) :  merged into the Murder charge

3. Assault and Battery Dangerous Weapon  G.L.c.265 §15A (b) : merged into the Murder charge

4. Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony  G.L.c.265 §18B : 10 -15 years state prison

5.  Possession of Ammunition without an FID card  G.L.c.269 §10 (h) :  18 months House of Correction

6.  Mistreating a Police Dog  G.L.c.272 §77A :  2 ½ years House of Correction

7. Armed Career Criminal  G.L.c.269 §10G (c) :  10 – 15 years state prison

These sentences aggregate to a parole eligibility of a minimum of 35 years.

Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe remarked, “Though we would have preferred a Murder 1 verdict, this verdict was consistent with what conscientious jurors could have found.  I want to congratulate the trial team of First Assistant District Attorney Mike Trudeau and Assistant District Attorney Dan Higgins and the police investigators who supported them for all the work they put into this case.  No one can understand the depth of the pain and anguish felt by the family over these years.  Dara and Sean’s Mom and Dad and their extended family have conducted themselves with dignity and patience throughout this entire process and I thank them.”

First Assistant District Attorney Michael Trudeau said, “This has been a very difficult and emotional case and I thank the Judge and Jury for the time they spent on it.  It is my hope that these verdicts give the Gannon family some sense that justice was served and provides some measure of closure for them moving forward.”

The matter was investigated by Barnstable Police, Yarmouth Police and State Police detectives

assigned to the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office. 

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