A Dorchester man was held on high bail today after a Suffolk County homicide prosecutor recounted his alleged role in the fatal shooting of Charles Cantave a short time after the victim left a hearing in small claims court, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

MARIO F. BURNS (D.O.B. 10/5/72) was held on $750,000 cash bail following his arraignment on charges of being an accessory after the fact to Cantave’s homicide as he sat inside his car near the intersection of Washington and Park streets late last month. Additionally, Burns’ bail was revoked on an unrelated charge of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Assistant District Attorney Holly Broadbent told the court that Cantave was found shot dead shortly before 11:00 a.m. on March 29. A witness flagged down a Boston Police officer and provided information about a shooting that the witness had observed. The witness also gave the officer a license plate and description of a vehicle to which the gunman had run after the shooting.

A short time later, Boston Police stopped the vehicle in the area of Grove Hall and found Burns behind the wheel. Also in the car were Burns’ wife and mother-in-law, as well as another male. All four were interviewed, denied involvement in the shooting, and gave conflicting statements regarding when and where the male passenger had entered the car. Burns further stated that he was the only person to have driven the car that day, Broadbent said.

Further investigation by Boston Police homicide detectives and Suffolk prosecutors revealed that, earlier on the morning of March 29, Cantave and Burns’ wife had been involved in a civil action at Dorchester court regarding an automobile engine that Cantave had either sold to or fixed for her. At the time of Cantave’s death, no judgment had yet been ordered.

Yesterday, based on additional evidence developed in the course of the investigation, Conley’s office approved a warrant for Burns’ arrest as an accessory to Cantave’s murder. Members of the Boston Police Fugitive Unit assisted by the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section took him into custody yesterday evening.

“The investigation into Mr. Cantave’s death remains active and focused,” Conley said.

Katherine Moran is the victim-witness advocate assigned to the case. Burns was represented by attorney Rudge McKenney. He will return to court on May 10.