All Four in Custody on Related Charges; Investigation Still Active

BOSTON, Dec. 20, 2017—The Suffolk County Grand Jury today returned indictments charging four men with murder and related charges in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Joshua Briggs at a Dorchester hotel this fall, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The indictments charge JAMES “SHIZZ” COLEMAN (D.O.B. 10/24/91), JOHN “SPICE” COLLINS (D.O.B. 10/16/93), ERRIN “DUBDUB” CRAWFORD, Jr., (D.O.B. 09/05/88), and MICHAEL “BATS” REYNOLDS (D.O.B. 10/10/93), and with first-degree murder for Briggs’ Oct. 17 homicide at the Holiday Inn Express on Boston Street. The indictments further charge them with three counts each of armed robbery and armed home invasion. Collins and Reynolds were additionally indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm.

All four defendants are currently held on high bail following their arrests and arraignments on robbery and home invasion charges brought in the course of the investigation. That investigation remains active even today, authorities said.

Evidence suggests that Briggs and others were inside a room at the hotel on the night of Oct. 16 into the early morning hours of Oct. 17, and that Coleman, Collins, and Crawford were also present but were ejected by hotel staff after a fight. The evidence suggests that they returned with Reynolds and forced their way into the room at about 4:15 am; that at least two of the defendants were armed with a firearm; and that this fact was known to all of the defendants. The evidence further suggests that all four men took part in the robbery of cash, jewelry, and firearms that they knew to be in the hotel room. Briggs suffered a fatal gunshot wound during the incident and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The totality of facts and evidence suggest that – armed or unarmed – the defendants acted with a specific intent to cause death or serious injury or took part in an action that carried a clear risk of death or serious injury.

“The indictments allege that the defendants knew there were guns in that room, and they returned with more guns of their own,” Conley said. “It was a powder keg, and we submit that their actions ignited it, leading to Joshua Briggs’ death. Investigations like this one show the strength of the grand jury in solving complex cases. The prosecutors and police detectives assigned to this case deserve great credit for bringing us one step closer to justice for Mr. Briggs’ family.”

 Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans also hailed the investigation, saying, “I want to commend the Boston Police Homicide Unit and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their work on this case. Thanks to their combined efforts, four individuals are now charged with the murder of Joshua Briggs. Making sure that those responsible are held accountable is one of the ways we can help bring some level of comfort to the victim’s family and loved ones.”

Coleman was identified as a participant within days. He was arraigned Oct. 23 in South Boston Municipal Court on charges of armed robbery and armed home invasion. Reynolds was arraigned Nov. 8, Collins on Dec. 7, and Crawford on Dec. 12. All were held on bails ranging from $200,000 to $500,000.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Flanagan led the grand jury investigation that led to today’s murder indictments. The defendants are expected to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court next month.

–30–

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