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Massachusetts man charged with a string of violent crimes

On Behalf of | Apr 20, 2020 | Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes |

Police in Massachusetts have taken a man into custody in connection with a deadly March 16 shooting in Hampden County and several other violent crimes. The 22-year-old Springfield resident was denied bail when he appeared in Holyoke District Court on March 25. He faces a raft of felony charges including counts of homicide, carjacking and assault with a firearm. Police say that they have linked the man with a Feb. 23 hit-and-run, a March 19 carjacking and a March 24 shooting in addition to the March 16 shooting. The victim of the March 24 shooting suffered life-threatening injuries.

Deadly shooting prompts intensive investigation

The sequence of events that led to the man’s arrest began at about 11:30 a.m. on March 16 when Springfield Police Department officers were dispatched to the intersection of Chestnut Street and Carew Street to investigate reports of a shooting. They arrived to discover a badly injured 28-year-old man. The victim was taken to an area hospital and then transported to a major trauma center in Boston. He succumbed to his injuries on March 23. Police say that the man had previously attempted to kill the victim by intentionally striking him with a motor vehicle on Feb. 23. Police have yet to reveal a possible motive for the two attacks.

Alleged accomplice also taken into custody

Police have also apprehended a 21-year-old East Longmeadow man who they believe drove the car involved in the March 16 shooting. The man is also said to have been the owner of and a passenger in the car used in the February 23 hit-and-run attack. He faces charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and accessory after the fact.

Plea offers in murder cases

Prosecutors may seek to resolve homicide cases at the negotiating table to avoid the risks of a jury trial. If you have been accused of committing a serious crime, your defense attorney may suggest accepting a plea offer if the evidence against you is strong and the proffered terms are fair. However, attorneys could recommend rejecting a plea offer if you maintain that you are innocent, your constitutional rights may have been violated by the police or the evidence gathered by law enforcement is unlikely to convince a jury.

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