In Second Case, Lynn Man Convicted of Role in Fatal Drug-Related Robbery

BOSTON, March 25, 2014—A Suffolk Superior Court jury today convicted a Dorchester youth of a double shooting that nearly killed one man, but acquitted the youth of murdering an immigrant laborer with the same gun two weeks earlier.

Jurors acquitted JOHN GRAHAM (D.O.B. 12/15/94) of first-degree murder and armed assault with intent to rob for the Dec. 10, 2011, incident that claimed the life of 36-year-old Ciaran Conneely on Nahant Avenue.  They convicted Graham of two counts of armed assault with intent to rob and single counts of armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and other offenses for shooting two men, ages 18 and 20, on Monsignor Lydon Way 20 days later.

Surveillance video showed Graham in the vicinity of the Dec. 30 shootings and attempted robberies.  The assailant in that case demanded the victims’ money but shot them from behind when they refused to comply. A ballistician testified that a bullet fragment removed from one of those victims was fired from the same gun that killed Conneely, and witness testimony suggested that Graham made incriminating admissions to at least two individuals about shooting Conneely.  Prosecutors argued that these statements, coupled with the ballistic evidence and the impulsive nature of the shootings, tied the Conneely murder to the defendant, who was 16 at the time of both incidents.

Sentencing has been scheduled for May 1.  Graham faces potential state prison terms, including up to 20 years for the attempted murder conviction and up to 20 years on each of the attempted robbery convictions.

In another homicide case resolved today, jurors convicted ROBINSON TEJADA (D.O.B. 10/27/88) of second-degree murder, armed robbery, ome invasion, and related offenses for his role in the fatal shooting of his associate, Christopher Pichardo, 18, during a drug-related robbery on Trull Street two years ago. Both Tejada and Pichardo were Lynn residents; the target of the robbery lived in Malden but had family living on Trull Street.

Evidence and testimony proved that Tejada, Pichardo, and another man set out to rob a drug dealer of a large quantity of marijuana on Jan. 13, 2012. Pichardo pulled a gun and fired at the dealer, who fired back, killing Pichardo. Tejada fled the scene with the drugs. The drug dealer was acquitted of murder charges last year, but prosecutors successfully argued that Tejada’s participation in a violent felony with a person he knew to be armed with a gun exposed him to murder charges.

Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum prosecuted Graham. Katherine Moran was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Graham was represented by attorney Robert Sheketoff and faces sentencing on May1.

Assistant District Attorney Amy Galatis prosecuted Tejada. Jennifer Sears was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Tejada was represented by attorney Robert Sinsheimer; the parties will return to court on April 18 for motions.

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