BOSTON, April 7, 2015—A Lynn man has been found guilty of murder in the shooting death of his friend, 18-year-old Christopher Pichardo, during a 2012 drug robbery that he helped plan, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

STEPHANE ETIENNE (D.O.B. 11/8/93) was convicted late today of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, armed robbery, home invasion, and possession of a Class D substance.  He was acquitted of an additional charged of armed robbery.

During the course of the trial, Assistant District Attorney Amy Galatis of the DA’s Homicide Unit presented evidence and testimony to prove that Pichardo, Etienne and a third man, ROBINSON TEJEDA (D.O.B. 8/9/90), planned to rob FREDERICK REYNOSO (D.O.B. 4/18/92) of marijuana after arranging to purchase it from him at a Trull Street residence on Jan. 14, 2012.  After Pichardo pulled out a firearm, Reynoso produced a firearm of his own.  The two exchanged gunfire and Reynoso fatally shot Pichardo. Etienne and Tejeda then fled the scene with guns and drugs.

“Death or serious injury is a foreseeable consequence of an armed drug robbery,” Conley said. “A person who plans and commits that robbery is just as responsible for an ensuing death as the person who pulls the trigger.”

Among the evidence presented at trial were video from the five surveillance cameras from the Trull Street home, recorded interviews of the defendant, and ballistic evidence.

The Supreme Judicial Court has previously held that those who come together with the intent to take part in a dangerous criminal act may all be held liable for a resulting death. A Suffolk Superior Court jury last March convicted Tejeda of second-degree murder, armed robbery, and home invasion under that theory; that verdict was subsequently vacated by the trial judge, but Suffolk prosecutors have appealed that ruling to the SJC.

A separate jury in December 2013 found Reynoso guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and distribution of a Class D substance but not guilty of murder.

Jennifer Sears was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate.  Etienne was represented by Aviva Jeruchim.  Sentencing before Judge Linda Giles will take place at 9:00 a.m. Friday in courtroom 907 of Suffolk Superior Court.

–30–

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