Boston Criminal Lawyers Blog

Cambridge Man Turns Himself In to Answer Medford Murder Charges

Published on: August 29, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

According to the Medford Police Department, Christopher Toppi, 28, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, turned himself into police last night in connection with an apparent homicide in Medford. The victim, Brian Fahy, of Weymouth, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shortly after the Medford Police Department had sought a warrant for Christopher Toppi on the charge of Murder, Toppi turned himself in. He is being held at this time pending his arraignment in Somerville District Court for Murder.

The Massachusetts State Police and the Medford Police Departments, which are leading this investigation, have not released any details regarding the incident, other than to say that they did not believe it to be random; that Toppi and Fahy were known to each other; and that the death appears to have resulted from a confrontation.

Brockton Woman Gets Murder Conviction Reversed by Massachusetts Supreme Court

Published on: August 23, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Sheila Barry, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was convicted in 2006 in Plymouth Superior Court for the Murder of Admilson Goncalves. Today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court reversed her conviction, citing she was mentally ill when she committed the assault.

At her Murder trial, Plymouth County prosecutors alleged that Barry attacked Goncalves with a cinder block as he sat in his bicycle in Brockton in 2002 and that she continued to beat and assault him with the brick until it shattered.

In reversing her Murder conviction, the Massachusetts Supreme Court concluded that the legal rules regarding a defendant claiming an Insanity Defense need to be changed. Prior to this decision, a defendant who voluntarily consumed alcohol could not then claim the Defendant of Lack of Responsibility, or more commonly known as the Insanity Defense.

Gang Sweep Nets 47 Arrests in Boston & New England

Published on: August 20, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A 3-month long investigation involving 20 different law enforcement agencies came to fruition today when police announced that 47 purported gang members were arrested.

Leading the investigation was the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) which led all law enforcement agencies. Of the 47 persons arrested, 23 face deportation and 28 were reportedly reputed gang members belonging to various gangs, including the Bloods, Latin Kings, and MS-13.

Law enforcement officials made this announcement today as they proudly advertised that many of those apprehended had been involved in what they describe as “violent crimes”, specifically Attempted Murder and Assault to Commit Rape. Notably, despite their having been labeled as gang members, none of the men apprehended were characterized as convicted felons, or having actually been convicted of the crimes of Attempted Murder and Assault to Commit Rape.

Suspect Arrested in Lawrence for Indecent Assault & Battery on Minor in Boston

Published on: August 18, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Jonathan P. Santos, 22, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was arrested earlier today in Lawrence – he had been under investigation and wanted for an Indecent Assault & Battery.

The Boston Police Department reported that Santos was arrested this afternoon and formally charged with Indecent Assault & Battery; Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Armed Robbery, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Drugs.

Indecent Assault & Battery:

Boston Pub Brawl Leads to Manslaughter Charge for South Boston Man

Published on: August 16, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Hector Guardiola, 25, of South Boston, Massachusetts, was arraigned today in Roxbury District Court on charges of Manslaughter and Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon in connection with an incident at a Lansdowne Street pub that resulted in the death of Michael DiMaria.

DiMaria, who lived in New York, was in Boston visiting with old friends from college and the group went to a pub on Lansdowne Street to spend some time together.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors allege that a trivial argument broke out at the pub because one of the men in DiMaria’s group accidentally brushed against Guardiola as he was going to the bathroom. An argument allegedly ensued and DiMaria’s friend walked back to the table. At that point, Guardiola allegedly threw a beer mug, which shattered after hitting something and shards of sharp glass struck DiMaria, cutting his jugular vein.

Phillip Markoff, Alleged Craigslist Killer, Found Dead from Apparent Suicide in Jail Cell

Published on: August 15, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Phillip Markoff, dubbed the “Craigslist Killer” by the media who was held without bail pending his Murder trial, was found dead at the Suffolk County Jail on Nashua Street yesterday morning from what appears to have been a suicide.

According to sources from the Boston Police Department and the Suffolk County Sherriff’s Department, Markoff was found alone in his cell with a plastic bag tied over his head. One other source also stated that Markoff had also cut one of his arteries.

Markoff charged with the April 2009 Murder of Julissa Brisman, whom he allegedly met at the Marriott Copley Hotel in Boston after locating her on a Craigslist ad. The Boston Police Department and Suffolk County Prosecutors alleged that Markoff struggled with her in the hotel room before shooting her 3 times in the chest.

Brockton Man Acquitted of Murder after Massachusetts Supreme Court Overturns First Murder Conviction

Published on: August 14, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

After 7 years, Jesus Silva Santiago walked out of court a free man, a second jury acquitting him of Murder in connection with the shooting death of Eugene Monteiro, 25, of Boston, Massachusetts.

The Murder allegations stemmed from an incident at Mike’s Lounge in Brockton. The Plymouth County District Attorney alleged that Santiago called the victim a racial slur as he and his friends headed into the bar, saying they weren’t allowed in the club. As the victim and his friends left the bar because one was underage, they passed Santiago again and he allegedly shot the victim in the chest. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office alleged that Santiago went into the bar after the shooting because there was no other place to hide as the police were on their way.

Santiago, 35, was in custody since 2003. At his first trial in 2006, he was convicted of Murder, but the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court overturned the conviction and automatic life sentence and ordered a new trial. At this second trial, a jury consisting of 4 men and 8 women deliberated 8 hours and finally acquitted him this past Thursday.

Boston Man Charged with Armed Robbery for Robbing Craigslist Escort at Gun Point

Published on: August 13, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Luther M. Henderson, 35, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was arraigned earlier this month on Armed Robbery and Kidnapping Charges for allegedly meeting and then robbing a Craigslist escort at gunpoint.

According to the Brockton Police Department and Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Henderson arranged to meet a female escort he found through a Craigslist ad. After meeting at a predetermined location, which ended up being a vacant house, Henderson then allegedly showed a gun, asked the woman to strip, and bound her using zip-cuffs. Henderson then allegedly got into the woman’s car and stole her money, purse, cellphone and laptop.

Henderson was arraigned in Brockton District Court on charges of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping and Witness Intimidation.

East Boston Man Arrested for Chelsea Murder

Published on: August 12, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Jonathan Carvalho, 20, of East Boston, Massachusetts, was arrested in a warrant in Georgia for the Murder of a Chelsea man this past Tuesday.

According to Boston prosecutors, Carvalho allegedly approached Luis Raul Rodriguez on Central Avenue in Chelsea this past Tuesday and shot him in the chest multiple times. Currently in George, Carvalho will face rendition proceedings to bring him back to Massachusetts to be arraigned on Murder Charges in Chelsea District Court.

According to the Chelsea Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, no motive has been released to the public, but that the Murder does not appear to be a random act of violence.

Lynn Man is Second Person Charged with the Murder of Jaewon Martin in Boston

Published on: August 10, 2010 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Ramon Silvelo-Miles, 20, of Lynn, Massachusetts, was arraigned in the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court yesterday as the second person charged for the Murder of Jaewon Martin on May 8 at the Bromley Heath Housing Development on the Jamaica Plain – Roxbury line. He was held without bail on charges of Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.

The Boston Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office allege that Silvelo-Mile adn Timothy Hearns (of Dorchester) went to the Bromley Heath Development in Roxbury for the specific purpose of shooting a rival gang member. As Silvelo-Miles waited in the car, Hearns is alleged to have gone to the steps of the development and began firing. Hearns allegedly fired two shots at Martin, one of which struck him in the chest; and then shooting at Martin’s 15 year-old friend in the chest and arm.

Following the shooting, Silvelo-Miles allegedly bragged about his involvement in the shooting, and certain witnesses apparently came forward with that information to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. As a result, Boston Police Homicide Detectives interviewed Silvelo-Miles but he claimed an alibi, which the Boston Police reports was found to be false.