Two Get Life in 17-Year-Old’s Murder near School

BOSTON, June 29, 2018—The gunman and driver who orchestrated a multiple shooting that claimed the life of 17-year-old Raekwon Brown and injured two other teens outside a Dorchester high school were sentenced to life in prison today, and a third participant was sentenced to up to 20 years for his role, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said. more »

BOSTON, June 28, 2018—A Suffolk Superior Court jury today convicted two men of murder in the multiple shooting that killed 17-year-old Raekwon Brown, additionally finding those defendants and a third man guilty of various assault and firearms charges, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Jurors convicted JADEN WAITERS, 21, of first-degree murder under the theory of deliberate premeditation for his role in Brown’s 2016 homicide near the Jeremiah E. Burke School. Jurors also convicted JONATHAN AGUASVIVAS, 25, of second-degree murder for his role in the same shooting and acquitted BENZY BAIN, 26, of murder charges connected to the homicide. All three were indicted for first-degree murder as joint participants.

Jurors additionally convicted all three defendants of nine indictments each, charging multiple counts of assault and battery by means of a firearm, armed assault with intent to murder, and firearms violations. These charges reflected injuries to or assaults on multiple victims upon whom Waiters fired in a joint venture with Aguasvivas and Bain. more »

BOSTON, June 26, 2018— A Dorchester man has been indicted for firing into a crowd last month, killing 23-year-old Christopher Joyce and 58-year-old Clayborn Blair and injuring a 4-year-old child, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk County grand jury today returned indictments charging WILVIN GUITY-BECKELS, 28, with two counts of first-degree murder and single counts of armed assault with intent to murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the May 4 shooting in the area of 277 Centre Street. more »

BOSTON, June 26, 2018—A woman who allegedly threatened a fellow subway passenger with a knife while uttering homophobic slurs after Boston’s Pride Parade will be held without bail for 60 days on a bail revocation, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

DENISE KNOX, 36, of Woburn was arraigned yesterday in Charlestown Municipal Court for assault with a dangerous weapon, threats to commit a crime, and a civil rights violation. At the request of Assistant District Attorney Paul Lewis, Judge Lawrence McCormick set her bail at $5000; ordered her to stay away from the victim, witnesses, and MBTA; and revoked her bail on a pending assault and battery case out of Woburn District Court.

“No matter who you are, you have the right to live and work and travel free from threats and intimidation,” Conley said. “Anyone confronted with disgraceful conduct like this can feel safe, supported, and respected coming forward to report it. Our primary concern will always be for the victim’s safety and wellbeing.”

On the evening of June 9, following Boston’s Pride Parade, Knox allegedly instigated a confrontation on an Orange Line car with a woman who was carrying a multi-colored rainbow flag. After a hostile verbal exchange in which Knox mentioned the parade, used homophobic slurs, and threatened this woman, another passenger intervened and suggested Knox either leave her alone or get off the train.

Knox allegedly produced a folding knife at this time and threatened the passenger who intervened. This man moved to another car and pressed the emergency call button to report the incident. Transit Police officers responded to Community College station, where they were directed to Knox but were unable to locate a victim; their investigation continued in the hours that followed.

Later that night, the victim contacted Transit Police to report the incident. Based on her statements, a follow-up interview with the man Knox allegedly threatened with the knife, and a review of footage from MBTA public safety cameras, Transit Police obtained a warrant for Knox’s arrest.

Knox was represented by attorney Bruce Linson. She will return to court on July 18.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, June 22, 2018—A South Boston man was convicted of first-degree murder today for the 2010 homicide of 25-year-old Luis Montanez as he stood on the periphery of a fistfight outside a bar, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

After two days of deliberations, jurors convicted CHARLIE BREA, 32, of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. Brea faces a mandatory term of life in prison at a sentencing hearing scheduled for next week. more »

BOSTON, June 8, 2018— A Brockton man has been sentenced to prison more than two decades after he sexually abused three young girls in Boston, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

WILLIAM BRYANT, 69, yesterday pleaded guilty to six counts of rape of a child with force and one count of assault with intent to rape a child. Assistant District Attorney Brenna Flynn of the DA’s Child Protection Unit recommended that Bryant be sentenced to three concurrent terms of seven to nine years in state prison followed by five years of probation. Judge Linda Giles, citing the defendant’s health issues, sentenced Bryant to three years in prison followed by five years of probation, during which time Bryant will be required to complete sex offender treatment, wear a GPS monitor, provide law enforcement with a DNA sample, have no contact with the victims or their families, and have no contact with any child under age 18 unless supervised by the child’s parent or guardian, to whom Bryant must provide a full disclosure of his crimes. He must also register as a sex offender. more »

Now Faces Sentencing Rather Than Trial Next Month

BOSTON, June 8, 2018—The serial rapist accused of a string of sexual assaults that began more than a decade ago pleaded guilty yesterday as his case approached trial and faces sentencing next month, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ALEJANDRO DONE, 49, pleaded guilty to indictments charging two counts of aggravated rape, one count of rape, one count of assault with intent to rape, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of armed robbery. Those charges reflect attacks on three women in 2006, 2007, and 2010 that prosecutors were prepared to prove he committed; the victim in a fourth assault returned to her native country shortly after the assault was not expected to be available for trial. Done changed his plea at what had been scheduled for a status hearing in advance of his July 16 trial date.

Done, who is serving a prison term following convictions in Middlesex County, faces sentencing on July 18. Prosecutors will recommend a lengthy state prison sentence on the Suffolk County convictions. more »

BOSTON, June 7, 2018— A Brighton motorist was arraigned today on charges he struck 80-year-old Theodore Schwalb in a crosswalk and drove away, leaving him to die, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

PHOCIAN FITTS, 23, was arraigned today in Brighton Municipal Court on charges of motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. Assistant District Attorney Emily Hamrock of the DA’s Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit requested bail of $15,000. Judge Myong Joun imposed $10,000 bail and ordered Fitts to submit to GPS monitoring in the event he posts that amount. Joun also ordered Fitts to refrain from driving in light of the Registry of Motor Vehicles’ suspension of his license following yesterday’s fatal crash. more »

BOSTON, June 6, 2018—The man who allegedly stabbed his son, 35-year-old Brendan Tahatdil, to death in Dorchester was apprehended in New York today – exactly one year after the Suffolk County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging him with first-degree murder, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans said.

DESMOND TAHATDIL, 56, was indicted on June 6, 2017, for first-degree murder in the March 7, 2017, homicide of Brendan Tahatdil in the home they shared on Hartford Street. He was apprehended early this morning in Brooklyn on an arrest warrant out of Suffolk Superior Court and could return to Boston by next week.

“Fatal family violence like this can be devastating to the loved ones left behind,” Conley said. “Our hearts are with them today. Prosecutors and victim advocates are committed to supporting them as the case transitions from the search to the courtroom.”

“I can’t say enough about the dedication and great work of my officers and the officers in the U.S. Marshals,” Commissioner Evans said. “This lengthy investigation spanned from Boston to four different states and three different countries. It is a great example of how the partnership between the Boston Police and the U.S. Marshal service allows these crucial arrests to be made almost a year and a half after the incident at a location three states away. The efforts, determination, and collaboration of these officers are the reason this dangerous individual is in custody.”

Boston Police responded to the Hartford Street scene at about 7:45 that morning for a report of a person stabbed and found Brendan Tahatdil suffering from multiple stab wounds that ultimately claimed his life. The investigation by Boston Police Homicide detectives and Suffolk prosecutors assigned to the DA’s Homicide Unit revealed that the two men became involved in an argument that morning. In the course of that argument, investigators believe, Desmond Tahatdil stabbed Brendan Tahatdil in the torso. He allegedly made admissions to others in the home before fleeing the scene.

The Boston Police Fugitive Unit undertook exhaustive efforts to locate Tahatdil, both overseas and within the US. They were aided by the BPD Homicide Unit, Suffolk DA’s office, US Marshals, and, most recently, the New York Police Department, leading to today’s arrest.

Tahatdil will be charged in Kings County, New York, as a fugitive from justice; if he waives extradition proceedings then he could be back in Boston by next week.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Police, Prosecutors Seek Help from Public, Body Shops

BOSTON, June 4, 2018—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley today released video clips and images of the vehicle sought in connection with the Mattapan hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of 40-year-old Pierre Desir last month and asked the public – especially auto body shops – for help in identifying the car and its driver.

Based on witness statements, video footage, and the analysis of debris left at the scene, investigators now believe the vehicle that struck Desir was an older model Chrysler 300, dark in color and likely blue or black. The four-door sedan sustained front-end damage, including headlight damage and possibly windshield damage.

Auto body shops that may have worked on such a vehicle since May 26 are asked to contact investigators, as is anyone familiar with such a vehicle that was damaged or has been missing since last week. more »

BOSTON, June 1, 2018—The man who allegedly stabbed two people downtown early this morning was held on high bail and will face a hearing to determine whether he violated his probation on two unrelated cases, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JAY LEFFEL, 23, of East Boston was arraigned on two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and one count of assault and battery for allegedly stabbing two men, both 21, and punching a third during a confrontation in the area of Commercial Street at about 2:30 this morning. One of the stabbing victims remained in a medically-induced coma as of this afternoon. more »

BOSTON, June 1, 2018—A Hyde Park man who allegedly pointed a firearm at two police officers who interrupted him as he fired on two other men was held pending a dangerousness hearing next week, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOHN MENTOR, 32, was arraigned in West Roxbury Municipal Court today on four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and a variety of firearms offenses. Judge James Stanton ordered him held pending a hearing next week under Chapter 276, Section 58A, of the Massachusetts General Laws. The statute allows a judge to hold a defendant accused of certain offenses without bail for up to 120 days pending trial upon “clear and convincing evidence that no conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of any other person or the community.” more »

BOSTON, June 1, 2018— The former school employee convicted of shooting a student in the head will spend more than two decades in prison following his conviction at trial, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury yesterday convicted SHAUN O. HARRISON, 58, of armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, and several firearm offenses. At Harrison’s sentencing today, Judge Christopher Muse imposed a term of 23 to 26 years in state prison followed by five years of probation. more »