Cambridge Man Charged in Assault, Stabbing at Subway Station

BOSTON, April 25, 2013—A Cambridge man was arraigned today on charges he attacked two people at a train station earlier this month, puncturing one victim’s lung by stabbing him, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOSE MURILLO (D.O.B. 5/21/85) was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court today on two charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  At the request of Assistant District Attorney Erica Brody, Judge Annette Forde set bail at $25,000 and ordered Murillo to stay away from his two victims.

According to prosecutors, officers from the Transit Police Department responded to Downtown Crossing MBTA station at approximately 10:15 p.m. on April 10 for a report of a stabbing.

Prosecutors said Murillo was yelling and making obscene gestures at a group of passengers on a southbound Red Line train.  Among those passengers were two men who boarded the train at Park Street but exited at the next stop in an attempt to escape from the defendant.

According to prosecutors, Murillo followed the men off the train.  After exchanging words with the victims, prosecutors said, Murillo punched the first victim and cut the man on the wrist.  Murillo allegedly stabbed the second victim in the chest when that man tried to intervene, prosecutors said.  The stab wound punctured the man’s lung and liver.  Both men were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital and are expected to survive.

In an effort to identify the assailant, Transit Police released surveillance images of the man the following day and, with the assistance of a witness, were able to identify him as Murillo, prosecutors said.

“The break in this case came as a result of three things,” Conley said. “First, high-quality surveillance cameras captured the suspect’s image. Second, a member of the community came forward to share identifying information based on that footage. And third, Transit Police detectives acted on the information to secure a warrant for the suspect’s arrest. This is an example of investigative resources in place, solid community involvement, and good police work.”

Last week, Conley called on law enforcement officials and civil liberties advocates to join a task force on increasing the use of closed circuit television cameras such as those that captured Murillo’s likeness to enhance prosecutions while protecting individuals’ privacy. And yesterday, he joined Transit Police, area clergy, and community partners to call for the same level of public support in investigating violent crimes as was provided in the aftermath of last week’s bombings at the Boston Marathon.

“This is where good policy and good outreach intersect,” Conley said.

Murillo was represented by Lisa Grant.  He will return to court on May 21.

–30–

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