BOSTON, Feb. 18, 2016—A Charlestown man was sentenced to two years behind bars this week for refusing to provide information during a grand jury investigation into the 2014 murder of Ryan Morrissey, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

DANIEL GOGGIN (D.O.B. 9/24/94) pleaded guilty Tuesday as his trial on one count of criminal contempt of court was scheduled to begin.  At the request of Assistant District Attorney Montez Haywood of the DA’s Senior Trial Unit, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Edward P. Leibensperger sentenced him to two years in the house of corrections.

Had the case proceeded to trial, Haywood would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that Goggin was called before the Suffolk County Grand Jury to testify to information about the Nov. 5, 2014, shooting that claimed the life of Ryan Morrissey and injured his 19-year-old friend.

During his first appearance before the grand jury on Feb. 24, Goggin was appointed an attorney and invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege.  During his second appearance on March 26, Goggin received a judicial order of immunity, invalidating his Fifth Amendment claim.  In spite of that order, Goggin refused to testify on that date and again on March 30.

As a result of his refusal to testify, Judge Elizabeth Fahey ordered Goggin held in civil contempt until such time as he testified or the grand jury investigation came to a close.  Prosecutors subsequently indicted him for criminal contempt.

Despite Goggin’s refusal to testify, the grand jury returned indictments against JULIO BAEZ (D.O.B. 2/28/91) of Charlestown, DANILO SOTO (D.O.B. 7/10/93) of Dorchester, and ALEXANDER SOTO (D.O.B. 9/6/97) of Charlestown, charging each with of first-degree murder for Morrissey’s homicide and armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury for the non-fatal shooting of the second victim.  Danilo Soto and Alexander Soto were additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm.  The case remains pending in Suffolk Superior Court.

Both victims were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where Morrissey succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 9, 2014.

“Almost every unsolved murder case is one witness away from being solved,” Conley said. “If you’re afraid or at risk, we can help you.  Boston and Suffolk County lead the state in using witness protection funds. But if you defy a court order and try to stymie a murder investigation, you’re going to face serious consequences.”

Eliana Builes is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate.  Goggin was represented by Anthony Anino.

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