BOSTON, Feb. 22, 2019—Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins today made the following statement to the community on this morning’s fatal shooting involving a Boston Police officer:

“Any loss of life is tragic and this morning’s events on Gerard Street are no exception. I want to express my relief that the injured officer is expected to survive. I hope for his full recovery, and my thoughts are with his family at home and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement. I also want to express my deep sadness and sympathies for the family and loved ones of the man whose life was lost. They, too, are undoubtedly in shock at circumstances beyond their control.

“I want to assure the people of Boston and Suffolk County that I will be conducting an independent investigation into this incident and it will be full, fair, thorough, and impartial. If anyone in the community has information on this incident they haven’t yet disclosed, they can feel safe bringing it to my attention.

“In these early stages, I have assigned First Assistant District Attorney Daniel Mulhern to handle this investigation and report directly to me. As my direct representative, ADA Mulhern responded to the scene last night and has updated me regularly throughout the early morning hours, as has Commissioner Gross. I spoke with the Commissioner immediately after the shooting and we have communicated several times since then.

“By statute, this investigation and all decisions stemming from it rest exclusively with me, the District Attorney, independent of any other agency or individual. I pledge to base any decision I make exclusively on the facts, the evidence, and the law, and again I offer my prayers and condolences to both families impacted by this shooting.”

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

BOSTON, February 15, 2019 — Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins today commended the work of prosecutors, victim witness advocates, and the police whose diligence and dedicated efforts led to a verdict in the 2014 murder of 20-year-old William Davis Jr.

Wednesday, jurors in the Suffolk Superior Court trial of AMIR RICHARDSON, 27, of Dorchester, found him guilty of first-degree murder in Davis’ 2014 shooting death. Richardson faces a mandatory term of life in prison when he is sentenced Feb. 22.

“Our office has worked diligently since the afternoon Mr. Davis was murdered to support his family and loved ones through the most devastating event imaginable and to help a community shaken by this act of violence,” Rollins said. “I’m grateful for the work of my prosecutors, victim witness advocates, and the Boston Police homicide detectives who worked to hold Richardson accountable for his actions not only to the Davis family, but to our community as a whole.”

Assistant District Attorney Tara Burdman introduced evidence and testimony during the course of the trial to prove that Richardson shot Davis three times in the area of 555 Dudley Street shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2014. Davis died of his injuries at Boston Medical Center. The evidence proved that Richardson then entered a GMC Terrain occupied by two other men and fled the scene. A search of the vehicle recovered the distinctive red jacket Richardson was observed wearing during the shooting and a revolver containing six spent shell casings that were ballistically matched to the bullets recovered from Davis’ body.

One of men in the waiting SUV, MARQUEESE SKINNER, 31, of Dorchester, in 2017 pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to murder.

Assistant District Attorney Julianne Campbell of the DA’s Appellate Division second-seated Burdman at trial. Edith Ayuso is the DA’s assigned victim witness advocate. Richardson is represented by Michael Doolin. Sentencing before Judge Janet Sanders will take place at 9 a.m. Feb. 22 in courtroom 907 of Suffolk Superior Court.

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

Prosecutors Will Seek Reconsideration of Retroactive Sentence, DA Says

BOSTON, Feb. 15, 2019—The day after a North Reading man was convicted of hate crimes and other offenses for a 2017 assault on a woman from Morocco, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said “there is no place for hate and bigotry in our city.”

After a two-day jury-waived trial in Suffolk Superior Court, SEAN DEVLIN, 35, was found guilty yesterday of violating the victim’s constitutional rights, assault and battery for purpose of intimidation, assault and battery on a person over 60, and wanton destruction of property.

“Everyone is welcome in Boston and Suffolk County,” District Attorney Rollins said. “The defendant’s actions were unconscionable and unacceptable, and the verdict reflects that. But I want to point out and thank the people who stood up for the victim and defended her rights at every step of this case. From MBTA passengers, who witnessed the assault and testified at trial, to Transit Police investigators to Suffolk prosecutors and victim advocates, they proved that racial and religious intolerance have no home here.”

At a sentencing hearing today, Assistant District Attorney David Wittenberg recommended a three-year prison term – the maximum penalty for the most serious offense – followed by two years of probation with orders that Devlin undergo evaluations for substance use and mental health, remain alcohol free, undergo drug treatment and screening as deemed necessary, and perform 100 hours of community service after participating in a diversity program for hate crime defendants.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders imposed one year of probation following two years in a house of correction, but ordered that sentence nunc pro tunc – or retroactive – to the date of his arrest, making him eligible for release in four months. Because most of the time Devlin spent behind bars since that time was for Middlesex County convictions and not for consequences stemming from his behavior in this Suffolk County case, District Attorney Rollins said she would seek reconsideration of that decision and appeal it if necessary.

“The sentence as it was imposed does not reflect the seriousness of these offenses,” District Attorney Rollins said. “Hate crimes spread fear across entire neighborhoods and communities. There are legal and moral reasons Devlin ought to serve a significant Suffolk County sentence for a serious Suffolk County crime.”

At trial, prosecutors proved that Devlin was riding an Orange Line train on June 19, 2017, when he began shouting anti-Muslim slurs at the 61-year-old victim, who was wearing a hijab as she returned from a prayer service during Ramadan. Devlin mocked the woman, telling her to take it off and return to her country.

“This is my country,” responded the woman, a resident of East Boston who had emigrated from Morocco and recently became an American citizen.

The evidence further showed that Devlin accused the woman of having a bomb in her bag and punched a window near her head, breaking it. As the woman left the train in fear, Devlin struck her.

In an impact statement following the verdict, the woman told the court that she felt tense and afraid in the days and weeks following the assault.

“I used to cry daily and pray for justice,” she said through an interpreter. “Why would someone attack me just for wearing something different? I am so thankful my rights were taken seriously … I am here for peace, tranquility, and safety.”

After thanking the court through the interpreter, she spoke one more sentence – this time in English.

“God bless America,” she said.

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

BOSTON, Feb. 14, 2019—The day after a Suffolk Superior Court jury convicted a man of raping a disabled woman in her home, District Attorney Rachael Rollins reaffirmed a pledge to make her office a safe and welcoming place for survivors.

Jurors yesterday found STEVEN MILLER, 57, guilty of two counts of rape for the 2017 attack on a then-59-year-old woman whose medical condition left her with limited mobility. Jurors also found Miller guilty of single counts of assault and battery on a disabled person and strangulation or suffocation. Because of a prior rape conviction in 1987, Miller faces a second trial Wednesday on his indictment as a subsequent offender. He faces up to life in prison.

“Disclosing a sexual assault can be among the hardest decisions a survivor has to make,” District Attorney Rollins said. “I understand the complexity of that decision and I want every survivor to know we provide a safe, supportive environment at every stage of the investigation and prosecution. Just like the woman in this case, whose strength and courage allowed us to hold the defendant accountable for the harm he caused, we’re putting survivors’ best interests first.”

During two days of testimony, Assistant District Attorney Ursula Knight, chief of District Attorney Rollins’ Elders & Persons with Disabilities Unit, showed that Miller and the victim had a romantic relationship and that Miller demanded sex on the night of Feb. 8, 2017, in her Columbia Road home. When she refused, he beat, smothered, and raped her. The evidence demonstrated that the woman suffered from a medical condition that left her with very limited mobility and relied on a walker to get around. A neighbor called police the next morning after checking in on her and learning of the assault.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone, District Attorney Rollins said. While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence can also call their local rape crisis center for free and confidential services and to discuss their options. Support is available for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether they wish to take part in a criminal prosecution. Services by city and town can be found through Jane Doe Inc. at www.janedoe.org/find_help/search. Jane Doe Inc. is a coalition of 60 local member programs working together to find lasting solutions that promote the safety, liberty, and dignity for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

In Suffolk County, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers a free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Suffolk victim-witness advocates can assist in referrals to BARCC and a wide array of non-profit service providers who can offer additional support and services.

Sasha Brown was the victim-witness advocate assigned to the case. Miller was represented by attorney John Tardiff.

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

BOSTON, February 7, 2019 — As part of her commitment to empowering survivors, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins today announced that a former employee of a Department of Youth Services vendor has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two young victims.

JAMES CHRISTIAN, 48, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to four counts of rape of a child in connection with sexual assaults more than a decade ago on two boys who are now adults. Judge Linda Giles sentenced Christian to four to six years in state prison followed by five years of probation. Assistant District Attorney Maryrose Anthes had recommended a term of eight to 10 years in state prison. more »