BOSTON, Oct. 24, 2016—A South End man was ordered held without bail following his arrest and arraignment for allegedly beating 50-year-old Stephen Cherup so badly during a street fight that the victim later died, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

PETER McGOWAN, 53, was arraigned in Roxbury Municipal Court on a murder charge stemming from injuries he allegedly inflicted on Cherup Saturday evening. Cherup died the next day.

Assistant District Attorney David Bradley told the court that the two men became involved in a physical confrontation on Massachusetts Avenue at about 5:00 pm on Oct. 22. A witness separated them, but McGowan allegedly re-engaged Cherup and beat him badly. Responding Boston EMS personnel spotted McGowan leaving the scene and, after they rushed Cherup to the Boston Medical Center, recognized him as he sought treatment there and pointed him out to Boston Police. Based on their statements, the statements of other witnesses, and additional physical evidence, Boston Police homicide detectives placed him under arrest.

McGowan was represented today by attorney Yolanda Acevedo. He will return to court on Nov. 28.

–30–

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