Boston Criminal Lawyers Blog

Lowell Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Home Invasion

Published on: September 16, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Daniel Burns, 26, was arraigned in Lowell District Court yesterday morning on several Massachusetts Crimes of Violence Charges in connection with allegedly attacking Brenda Finch Wednesday morning at her home.

Burns was charged with Attempted Murder, Armed Assault with Intent to Commit Murder, Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, and Breaking & Entering in the Daytime to Commit a Felony.

According to the Lowell Police Department, Daniel Burns allegedly broke into the Lowell home Brenda Finch after she returned from taking her 4 year old child to preschool. She described to police that she noticed one of the windows in her home was up and then began searching the home.

Former Boston Red Sox Player Manny Ramirez Arrested for Assault & Battery

Published on: September 14, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Manny Ramirez, formerly outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, was arrested this morning at his home Florida home on Domestic Violence Charges agains his wife, Juliana Ramirez. He was expected to be arraigned this morning charges of Assault & Battery.

According to the police, Juliana Ramirez alleged that Manny Ramirez hit her with an open hand with enough force to cause her head to hit the headboard of the bed. Police also reported observing visible injuries on Ms. Ramirez’ face, noting that it was red and swollen, and also had a bump on the back of her head.

The former Boston Red Sox player denied the allegations.

Beverly Woman Charged with Boston Arson and Attempted Murder

Published on: September 13, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Syretta Copeland, 31, was arraigned this morning in Salem District Court for Assault & Battery on a Police Officer, and is also being held in connection with Arson and Attempted Murder Charges arising out of a Dorchester fire last weekend.

According to Beverly Police, Syretta Copeland was arrested at her apartment on an outstanding Boston Police Warrant. Once at the police station, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office alleges that she allegedly became combative during the booking process when she was asked to remove her jewelry. According to police, she allegedly clawed at the officer’s face. Syretta Copeland, however, maintains that she only acted in self-defense as a result of the excessive force used against her by the police.

Meanwhile, Boston Police allege that Syretta Copeland allegedly set the fire to a home on Devon Street in Dorchester, which then spread to another home. Suffolk County prosecutors expect Ms. Copeland to be brought into Dorchester District Court at some point to be formally arraigned on Arson and Attempted Murder Charges.

Roxbury Teen Charged with Shooting at Boston Police Officers

Published on: September 10, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Tyre Wade, 19, was arrested this past week and charged with Massachusetts Gun Crimes Charges for allegedly carrying and shooting at Boston Police Officers. He was charged with Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition.

According to the Boston Police Department, officers were in Roxbury this past week looking for what they described as “gang members known to have outstanding warrants.” At a residence on Slayton Way, police came across several individuals, who allegedly fled upon the arrival of police officers.

One of the men, Tyre Wade, allegedly reached into his waist and pulled out a gun, which then discharged. He was eventually taken in custody and was subsequently arraigned in the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court on Gun Charges.

Saugus Man Charged with Massachusetts Child Rape Charges

Published on: September 8, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Sergio Donatelli, 37, of Woburn, was arrested by Saugus Police on Massachusetts Sex Crimes charges involving allegations of the rape of a child. He has been charged with Rape of a Child, Distribution of Child Pornography, and Indecent Assault & Battery on a Child Over 14.

The crime of Rape of a Child involves the forced sexual intercourse with a child under 16, which is punishable with imprisonment to state prison for any term of years, up to life.

As with most Massachusetts Sex Crimes, a conviction for this sex offense would require the person to become subject to Sex Offender Registration; submit his/her DNA to the state database, and could even subject the person to a term of parole supervision for life.

Two Boston Men Charged with Intimidating Witness in South End Murder

Published on: September 7, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Derrick Hunt, 21 of Roxbury, and Jose Maysonet, 19, of Boston, were both arraigned this morning in Boston Municipal Court on charges of Intimidation of a Witness in connection with the Murder of Alex Sierra, 18.

Sierra was shot this past weekend in Boston’s South End, allegedly by Ricardo Arias. According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Hunt and Maysonet, friends of Arias, allegedly threatened a witness prior to Arias’ arraignment.

In Massachusetts, the crime of Intimidation of a Witness is defined as the attempt to influence or intimidate a witness or to interfere with a criminal investigation. The potential penalty upon conviction for this crime is for any term up to 2.5 years in the House of Corrections; or up to 10 years in state prison.

Mother and 2 Children Murdered in Lawrence

Published on: September 5, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Lawrence Police have arrested Jose Luis Tejada, 40, on Massachusetts Murder Charges following the discovery of a triple murder this morning.

According to Lawrence Police, Tejada allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, Milka Rivera, 39, and her two children, Sachary Montanez, 19, and Max Montanez, 16. The bodies were discovered this morning, all in one of the children’s’ bedrooms, after Jose Luis Tejada allegedly approached someone outside the home and stated that he had killed someone.

The witness in turn called the police and Tejada was arrested. Police also reportedly seized a weapon believed to be used the murders outside the home. At this time, Lawrence Police have not revealed any alleged motive for the killings, yet mentioned that they were not aware of any incidents involving the family in the past.

Former Boston Celtic Arrested for Disorderly Conduct

Published on: September 3, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Kendrick Perkins, former center for the Boston Celtics, was arrested early this morning in his hometown of Texas on Disorderly Conduct charges.

According to police, officers responded to a club where a large group of men was reported to be rowdy. Although the group of men that were with Perkins reportedly tried to calm him, he became angry and allegedly tried to start a fight.

In Massachusetts, the crime of Disorderly Conduct is punishable with a fine of up to $150 for a first time offender; and up to 6 months in jail for a subsequent offense. The law prohibiting Disorderly Conduct is intended to control that conduct which disturbs the public tranquility or is aimed to alarm or provoke others. Specifically, Disorderly Conduct prohibits the following acts or conduct:

The use of force or violence;

Arlington Man Arrested on Drug Charges After 111 Marijuana Plants Found in Home

Published on: September 2, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Jonathan M. Pore, of Arlington, was arrested on Massachusetts Drug Charges after Arlington Police found 111 marijuana plants in his home this week. Pore was arraigned this morning in Cambridge District Court and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

According to the Cambridge Police Department and the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, the apartment allegedly belonging to Pore was searched yesterday and allegedly found to contain 111 marijuana plants, about 46 pounds, with a reported street value of over $120,000. Police also allegedly seized $6,300 and 3 scales.

It’s unclear whether Jonathan Pore was present when the apartment was searched; whether there were any other occupants present and/or if anyone else resides in the home; nor what led police to focus a drug investigation on Pore and/or the apartment.

Boston Man Arrested for Murder for Hire Plot to Kill Assistant District Attorney

Published on: September 1, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Pernell Powell, 73, of Boston, was arrested for allegedly plotting to kill a Worcester Assistant District Attorney.

According to federal prosecutors in Boston, Pernell Powell allegedly tried to hire his cellmate and offered him $4,000 to Murder the Worcester County ADA who was prosecuting his case because he was seeking a 4-6 year state prison sentence on his Massachusetts DUI Charges, Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, 5th or Subsequent Offense.

Presumably, the cellmate then relayed the offer to authorities, who then arrested Pernell Powell following an investigation into the allegations. He is expected to be charged and prosecuted in Boston’s federal court.