BOSTON, Oct. 30, 2017— A Lynn man faces life in prison after a jury today found him guilty in the 2015 shooting death of 35-year-old Cristy Johnson, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury this afternoon convicted MICHAEL DeLEON (D.O.B. 4/23/79) of second-degree murder, armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the Dec. 10, 2015, shooting that left Johnson dead and injured a then 38-year-old man.  Jurors acquitted DeLeon of murder in the death of 66-year-old Peter Pitari, who was also found fatally shot at the Waite Street apartment building on that date.

The verdict came after about eight days of testimony and about two and a half days of deliberations. DeLeon faces a mandatory term of life in prison with the possibility of parole at his sentencing on Nov. 6.  A second man charged in connection with the shootings faces trial at a later date.

Assistant District Attorneys David Fredette and Phillip Cheng introduced evidence and testimony during the course of the eight-day trial to prove that Johnson, Pitari, and a surviving victim were shot inside an apartment at 70 Waite St.  The surviving victim was able to pull a fire alarm inside the building to summon a quick response from Revere Police and other first-responders. 

During the course of the investigation that followed, State Police detectives assigned to Conley’s office with the assistance of Revere Police detectives and additional State Police assets interviewed witnesses and collected ballistics evidence, security camera footage from the surrounding area, and other evidence. 

Assistant District Attorney Philip Cheng second-seated Fredette at trial.  DeLeon was represented by Jack Cunha.  He is expected to face sentencing before Judge Mitchell Kaplan at 2:00 p.m. Nov. 6 in courtroom 907 of Suffolk Superior Court.

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