Felonies and Violent Crimes

December 31, 2008

Investigations Continue Into Robberies And Murder – Boston Police Give One Suspect Video Fame, The Other Cuffs And A Lawyer

As 2008 comes to a close, the Boston Police Department are still pursuing suspects, wherever they might be. Two such investigations have focused a spotlight on those sought in attempts to give them a warm place to stay for the holidays and a lawyer to talk to for company.

One of these investigations is actually the combination of what was once several different investigations. It involves several robberies which have recently occurred in the South End and Back Bay areas, including a Starbucks on Brookline Avenue about a block from Fenway Park.

The police has now released to the public the surveillance video of the suspect. Starbucks, for its part, is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the store’s Dec. 29 robbery. To view the video, or give information you may have about the star of said video, simply follow the first link below referencing the website.

The Starbucks robbery began like a scene out of Woody Allen’s “Take The Money And Run”. Police say that around 8:20 p.m. on Monday a man slipped a Starbucks employee a note that read, “Give me the money and no one gets shot.” Thinking the note was a written coffee order, the employee read the message aloud to a second employee, who then, perhaps dumfounded, handed the robber money from the register.

The robber then grabbed the note and cash and fled on foot up Brookline Avenue toward Kenmore Square.

Boston police believe the same robber may be responsible for several other business robberies in South End and Back Bay. Those incidents happened on Dec. 18, Dec. 21, Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 in the area of Newbury Street.

In those robberies, the suspect passed a threatening note indicating he had a gun.

Apparently, these notes were understood by the recipients with no problem.
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December 29, 2008

Boston Area Nanny Accused Of Kidnapping Baby, But It Is Not Her Who Needs The Criminal Lawyer

by Altman & Altman

It may be that the Boston area is simply a dangerous place for a nanny. Several years ago, we had that case in Cambridge where a British nanny was accused (and, actually, convicted) of killing a baby. The case made international headlines. She did have an extremely experienced criminal lawyer on her side and…guess what? She ended up going home when it was all over.

Well, this case is a tad different and the attorney ends up not being needed for the nanny after all. In fact, there was no nanny. Not even a baby. And the outer-Massachusetts part of the drama did not take place overseas, but in Miami, Florida.

You remember Florida, don’t you? Another fraud, to the tune of billions of dollars, was recently discovered there.

Meagan M., 22 (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) is a Miami woman who is alleged to have come up with an inventive way to try to keep her man. She made up a baby.

Well, kinda. She tried to do it the regular way, but did not suceed. Apparently, she lost the baby due to a miscarriage three months into the pregnancy. However, Miami police said the Defendant pretended to carry the baby to full term in order to keep her boyfriend, John B., 26, (hereinafter, “Big John”) from breaking up with her. She even named the phantom child, giving it Big John’s last name.

The real problems began when Big John wanted to see the child after its alleged birth. So, the Defendant did what seemed to be the logical thing…she reported that the baby had been kidnapped, and then reported the baby missing to police.

Now, what could be more romantic than that?
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December 28, 2008

Pelham, Massachusetts Police Chief Pleads Not Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in 8-Year-Old’s Uzi Death

by Altman & Altman

Pelham Police Chief Edward Fleury has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the Christopher Bizilj. The boy, 8, died after he accidentally shot himself with an Uzi at the Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo in Westfield, Massachusetts. He also pleaded guilty to four counts of furnishing a machine gun to a person under 18.

Fleury is the owner of OPS Firearms & Training, which promoted the October gun show. If convicted for involuntary manslaughter, the police chief could spend up to 20 years in state prison and up to 10 years for the other charges.

On October 26, Christopher lost control of a 9mm micro submachine gun when it recoiled on him. His father was nearby, getting ready to take his son’s picture when the fatal accident happened. The Micro Uzi’s rate of fire is 1,700 rounds/minute.

According to District Attorney William Bennett, Fleury made a mistake when he told the two men who brought the gun to the expo that Massachusetts law allowed for children under 18 to use the submachine weapon. Last week, Domenico Spano and Carl Giuffre pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges.

The Westfield Sportsman’s Club, where the gun show took place, has also pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The club’s attorney says that no one from the club or who was acting for the club provided the Uzi involved in Christopher’s shooting death. At least three other children reportedly fired the gun at the expo.

Involuntary Manslaughter
An involuntary manslaughter charge involves a crime where the defendant did not mean to cause the victim’s death.

Mass. police chief pleads not guilty in Uzi death, AP, December 23, 2008
2 Plead Not Guilty to Manslaughter in Boy’s Uzi Death, Fox, December 15, 2008

Related Web Resources:

A Brief Overview of Massachusetts Homicide Law, Mass.gov
Massachusetts “Gun Fair” Where Child Was Killed With Machine Gun May Have Violated Gun Law, Brady Campaign Continue reading

December 26, 2008

Call His Defense Attorney – Outside Boston Warrant Collector Is Back!

by Altman & Altman

You know, it is not just Metro Boston law enforcement who know how to investigate. They are all trained to do it. That is why I keep telling you not to try to outwit them because you are not likely to succeed. Keep quiet, comply and get a criminal defense lawyer.

Michael W., 23, (hereinafter, the “Defendant”), thought he could fool the officer who stopped him earlier this week. He was riding in a car when it was stopped for speeding in Ashland, Massachusetts. When questioned as to his identity, the Defendant apparently gave the police a false name.

Unfortunately for the Defendant, however, the name he gave belonged to someone whom the officer knew was already in jail, according to the police.

Of course, the Defendant had a reason for wanting to be someone else…there was currently a warrant out for his arrest for the crime of rape.
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December 21, 2008

16-Year-Old Massachusetts Murder Victim’s 13-Year-Old Half Brother is One of the Suspects Charged with His Slaying

by Altman & Altman

In Massachusetts, two Cape Cod teenagers and an adult were arrested for the murder of 16-year-old Jordan Mendes. Kevin Ribiero and Mykel Mendes, who are both 13, were charged with armed robbery and murder in juvenile court. Robert Vacher, 20, was charged with armed robbery and first-degree murder as an adult.

Jordan’s burnt body was found in a pit in the Hyannis woods. The suspects reportedly stole $10,000 from him. Jordan was a drug dealer.

Mykel and Kevin were arraigned on Friday and remanded to a juvenile detention center. Robert, who pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, is being held without bail.

Mykel and Jordan’s father is Manuel Mendes, who is serving a 35-year prison sentence for trafficking cocaine at the Plymouth County House of Correction while he was serving a sentence for another drug conviction. Mykel’s Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer says his client was not involved in his half-brother’s murder and is grieving over his death.

Prosecutors claim that Robert ambushed Jordan in Mykel’s bedroom, stabbing him 27 times and shooting him. The two 13-year-old’s are accused of being there at the time of the assault and providing Robert with the murder weapons. They then allegedly took Jordan’s body and dumped it into a hole before returning the next day to set it on fire. They then allegedly used the money they stole from Jordan to buy a used BMW.

The two teenagers will have to be tried in juvenile court. If the 13-year-olds are convicted of the juvenile crimes, they would have to be placed in the custody of the Department of Youth Services until their 18th birthdays. After that, the DYS would have to get the court’s permission to keep the boys in custody until their 21st birthdays. Robert could face a life prison sentence without parole if he is convicted of 1st degree murder.

Two 13-year-olds, adult charged in Cape Cod Slaying, Boston Herald, December 20, 2008
13-year-old boy accused in killing of brother, Boston.com, December 20, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Massachusetts Department of Youth Services

Juvenile Crimes in Massachusetts (PDF)
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December 7, 2008

OJ Simpson Sentenced to at Least Nine Years in Prison for Armed Robbery

by Altman & Altman

Former football great OJ Simpson has been sentenced to up to 33 years in prison-with the possibility of parole after 9 years-for his involvement in an armed dispute at a Las Vegas hotel. On October 3-13 years to the day that the 61-year-old was acquitted of murdering his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman-Simpson was convicted of 12 charges of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy to kidnap.

During his sentencing hearing in Las Vegas, Simpson, 61, apologized to Judge Jackie Glass, saying he never intended to hurt anyone and that he was only trying to get back his property. He acknowledged he was wrong in approaching the confrontation the way that he did and said that he didn’t know that he was breaking the law.

On September 13, 2007, Simpson led a group of men, a few of them armed, into a room at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. They were supposed to get sports memorabilia back from dealers Al Beardsley and Bruce Fromong. Simpson claims the items were stolen from him.

Simpson denies knowing that any of the men planned on bringing weapons, but two of his co-defendants claim that he told them to bring guns.

Four of the other men charged with the armed robbery crime worked out deals with the prosecution and testified against Simpson and co-defendant CJ Stewart. Simpson and Stewart were found guilty of all charges against them.

Criminal defense attorneys for Simpson say they intend to appeal the verdict. They say Simpson was unable to obtain a fair trial because of the infamous 1995 murder trial. Even though a Los Angeles jury found him not guilty of the murders of Nicole and Ron, the former football hero became a social outcast and many people in the public continue to question his innocence.

Anyone charged with any crime in the United States is entitled to a fair criminal trial-even if he or she is an infamous person or has been charged or convicted for unrelated crimes in the past.

O.J. Simpson to serve least nine years in prison, CNN, December 5, 2008
Simpson Sentenced to at Least 9 Years in Prison, New York Times, December 5, 2008

Related Web Resources:

O.J. Simpson Police Report, TMZ, September 13, 2007
The Simpson trial timeline, USA Today Continue reading

December 5, 2008

Massachusetts Is On The Go With Assaults, Drugs And Captive Audiences

by Altman & Altman

A new year is just about dawning! There is a new administration coming in to lead the country! Even our Cambridge office is moving (next door)! Let’s face it, people are on the go!

And, as goes “the people”, so goes the criminal justice system.

For example, let’s look at the case of the “Traveling Brawl Show” which opened its tents this week. It had a relatively short run, though. It ran from the evening hours of Tuesday to the morning hours of Wednesday, starting in Dennis, Massachusetts and ending in Hyannis.

It was not a “feel good” type of show, though. The star of the show, Patrick D., 27, of Dennisport (hereinafter, “Defendant 1”) performed the last act solo amidst charges of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

The touring group began around 9:30pm on Tuesday at a Christy’s in Dennisport. A customer mentioned to the store’s assistant manager that a fight was underway near the dumpster to the rear of the store. The employee looked out and saw about 10 people fighting, including one with a baseball bat.

The assistant manager called the Dennis police. Meanwhile, the fight moved to the middle of Route 28, stopping traffic. The participants fled when Dennis police cruisers arrived.

According to court documents, the altercation allegedly led to two men being beat with one or more baseball bats and to the stabbing of Defendant 1 ‘s brother. The injured were taken by others, including Defendant 1 , to the hospital.

Later that night, Officer Barrette was dispatched to the hospital to stand by the victims while Dennis police were en route to take statements. Hospital security guards took Barrette into an office to observe the people who had arrived with the injured.

The officer said he saw a man run into the emergency room lobby being chased by Defendant 1 . The man stood behind a hospital guard, but Defendant 1 allegedly still punched him.
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December 3, 2008

Jennifer Hudson’s Brother-In-Law Charged with Murdering her Mother, Nephew, and Brother

by Altman & Altman

The criminal defense attorney of William Balfour, Jennifer Hudson’s estranged brother-in-law, says his client is not guilty of killing the Oscar winner’s mother, nephew, and brother. Balfour was formally charged this week with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason Hudson, and her nephew Julian King, as well as one count of home invasion. Balfour was separated from Hudson’s sister Julia, which makes King, 7, his stepson.

Balfour, who was being detained in a state prison for a possible parole violation was sent back to police custody upon his arrest for the killings. He had been questioned about the murders before, but was released without being charged until now.

His defense lawyer says that the amount of time that passed between when the murders happened in October and his client’s arrest this week indicates that the case against Balfour is weak. He is calling his 27-year-old client a “convenient” suspect. Balfour’s mother also maintains her son’s innocence and says police relied on a statement made by a girlfriend who is facing a drug charge.

Police, however, say that no deals were made with witnesses and there is enough evidence to convict Balfour for the Hudson family murders. They claim that not only do they have physical evidence, including the murder weapon, but they also have testimony that could convict the 27-year-old.

Police believe the three murderers were domestic violence-related and that Julia Hudson and William Balfour had been quarreling when the killings happened. Donerson and Hudson were found shot to death at the family’s home. King’s body was found four days later in a sport utility vehicle.

Balfour’s bond hearing is scheduled for today.

Charges filed against William Balfour in Hudson family slayings, Chicago Sun-Times, December 2, 2008
Police confident Hudson family murders solved, Reuters, December 2, 2008
Lawyer: William Balfour Innocent of Jennifer Hudson Family Murders, People, December 2, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Jennifer Hudson Biography, IMDB
Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother murdered in Chicago, Daily News, October 25, 2008 Continue reading

December 2, 2008

Massachusetts Drunk Driver Assaults Police And Faces Charges Of Attempted Murder

by Altman & Altman

Sometimes it’s the opposite of a chase…!

Yesterday’s daily blog focused on police chases and attempts by defendants to get away from the scene of the alleged crime.

But in Weston, on Route 117 early Saturday morning, Joaovitor R, 18, of Watertown (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) is said to have driven right into two police officers.

Literally.

Yesterday, the Defendant appeared before the court to answer various charges related to the event. Although pleading not guilty, he is being held pending a dangerousness hearing at Waltham District Court.

The event took place as Sgt. Keith Kasprzak and Officers Steve McShane and David Zampell were investigating an unrelated accident involving a pickup truck that hit a utility pole in the Conant Road area of Route 117 at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.

As Officer Zampell was directing westbound traffic, a car approached him. It was allegedly the Defendant.

The car stopped within inches of the officer.

And then the driver hit the gas.
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November 25, 2008

Massachusetts Assault Defendant Held Without Bail For Disobeying Court Order

by Altman & Altman

Angel R., 43, a former Springfield firefighter (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) has been having a bad time of it lately.

In July, he was arrested in connection with a fight with another gentleman.

Well, it allegedly involved alittle more than a simple fight; his fellow combatant, hereinafter referred to as “slashed”, ended up cut up through use of a box cutter. The Defendant was arrested for attempting to kill him.

The fight had taken place outside an apartment in Sixteen Acres on Allen Park Road. Slashed, who had been outside the home of his two children and their mother, had reportedly been slashed several times and still had a piece of blade lodged in his neck as it had broken off.

The Defendant was arrested and charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and armed assault with intent to murder.

Police said that while in court, he apparently did or said something to violate the terms of his release and so a warrant was issued.

The Defendant was initially denied the right to bail, but in September, Judge Tina S. Page granted bail at $10,000 cash or $100,000 personal surety and stipulated that the Defendant was to have no contact with either Commonwealth witness, namely, Slashed and his children’s mother.

Apparently, the Defendant had also had a relationship with the children’s mother.

Do I see the form of a potential love triangle forming?
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