Statement Of The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Regarding Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting Occurring On March 23 In Malden

August 9, 2012 — The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office have concluded its investigation into the facts and circumstances of a fatal police involved shooting that occurred March 23, 2012 in the area of 500 Broadway in Malden.

The investigation into the legal justification of the shooting by on-duty officers included interviews with multiple witnesses at the scene, interviews of the responding Malden and Saugus Police officers, ballistics examination of evidence found at the scene, review of surveillance video evidence, and analysis of radio transmissions, police reports and witness statements.

That investigation revealed the following facts.

On March 23, 2012, William Ekasala and Michael Ginnetti entered Saugus Bank on the Fellsway in Saugus wearing masks, body armor, and carrying guns.  Ekasala and Ginnetti pointed their guns and demanded money, fleeing the scene with approximately $4,900.  They entered a red Honda Civic driven by Gabriel Megna and left the scene with police in pursuit.

The three men entered the parking lot at 500 Broadway in Malden, exited the car, and attempted to enter the Cliffside condominium building located at 500 Broadway.  When they could not gain access, Ginnetti fled to the area of another nearby apartment complex where he was later apprehended by police.  Megna and Ekasala approached another car.  Ekasala, showing his gun, ordered the female driver out of the vehicle.  The woman took her five month old child from the back seat and fled.

At this time, Malden Police Office Michael Casaletto arrived on the scene.  He ordered both men to exit the vehicle.  Rather than comply with Officer Casaletto’s order, Megna and Ekasala fled the car and Megna was later found hiding in a stairwell of the Cliffside condominium building.

After fleeing the vehicle, Ekasala approached another car in the parking lot and ordered the female driver out of the vehicle.  When she refused, he showed his gun to her and she exited the vehicle with the car keys in her hand.  Office Casaletto approached and ordered Ekasala to drop his weapon.  Ekasala turned and fired at Officer Casaletto, while forcibly using the female victim as a human shield.  He fired again at the officer.  The woman was able to free herself and move out of the way.  At this point, Officer Casaletto returned fire and Ekasala began to run towards Broadway.

Sergeant Dave Gecoya of the Saugus Police Department arrived on scene at this time and observed the exchange between Officer Casaletto and Ekasala.  Sergeant Gecoya was about 20 yards from Ekasala and ordered him to stop.  Ekasala pointed his gun towards Sergeant Gecoya.  Sergeant Gecoya fired at the suspect, but stopped when he realized there were civilians in the area.

Ekasala proceeded to run across Broadway and, as he did so, he pointed his weapon and fired at another police officer on the scene, Malden Police Patrolman John Delaney.  In response, Officer Delaney fired one round at Ekasala, missing him.  Ekasala approached another vehicle, with three occupants inside.  He pointed his weapon at the driver and passengers and all three exited the vehicle.

Sergeant Gecoya returned to his vehicle and headed toward Ekasala to stop him from fleeing in the vehicle.  He pulled his car up to the car Ekasala had now entered and ordered him to drop the gun.  Ekasala pointed his gun toward Sergeant Gecoya.  Sergeant Gecoya then fired his weapon.  Sergeant Richard Correale of the Malden Police Department was standing in front of Ekasala’s vehicle when Ekasala accelerated the vehicle towards him.  Sergeant Correale fired several shots.  Sergeant Gecoya again exited his vehicle and fired several shots into the rear window of Ekasala’s car.  As the car continued to head towards him, Sergeant Correale moved and fired into the driver’s side.  Malden Patrolman Robert Selfridge also fired towards the vehicle.  The car hit a curb, rolled backward and eventually came to a stop.  As officers approached, they observed Ekasala suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the forehead.  Emergency officials arrived and transported Ekasala to Mass General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Dr. Henry Nields of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and determined the cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the head with injuries of the skull and brain.

Ginnetti is charged in Essex Superior Court with armed robbery while masked (2 counts), armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (3 counts), possession of a firearm during the course of a felony, use of body armor in a felony, carrying a dangerous weapon, and being an armed career criminal.  His next court date is August 16 for a discovery motions hearing.  Megna is charged in Middlesex Superior Court with armed carjacking and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.  His next court date is August 22 for a pre-trial conference.  The actions reported in this statement regarding Ginnetti and Megna are allegations and defendants Ginnetti and Megna are presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

Based upon the facts presented and applying the case law pertaining to the use of force to defend oneself or another, it is determined that the officers were in imminent danger of being shot by Ekasala and that if he was not apprehended, Ekasala posed an immediate danger of killing or seriously injuring others.  The suspect attempted to, and mostly succeeded in, carjacking three separate cars that contained six civilians, including an infant.  He discharged his firearm at officers, and while attempting to flee, continued to brandish and discharge his firearm at officers.  These facts support the conclusion that the officers were justified in their use of deadly force in order to save themselves and possibly others from serious harm or even death.

Having made a determination under the law regarding the legal justifiability of the shooting by the police officers we have, per protocol, referred the matter back to the Malden and Saugus Police Departments so that they can perform whatever internal administrative review of the incident they deem appropriate.

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Senior Moments

Nancy L. Drawe
(Punky)

August 8, 2012 — Imagine being 6 years old, in the first grade and being told by your teacher, Mr. B., “You’re going to have a Pen Pal of your very own for this whole year!” Unless you had an older sibling who previously was in Mr. B’s class, chances are you probably didn’t even know what a pen pal was. Imagine the excitement when you found out it was a secret person you would be writing to all year? And then in May, you would get to meet your pen pal in person at the Senior Center? At a Pizza Party? Well, that’s exactly what happens to the first graders from Center School during the course of the year.

The pen pal idea started twenty years ago when Mr. B’s (Mark Boisvert) fourth grade class at Elmood School was corresponding with a group of fourth graders in Alaska, but he felt that they were not really making a connection because of the distance.  At that time, the Senior Center contacted the school asking if they could set up a pen pal program with the seniors and students. Mr. B got involved and has been doing it ever since, starting with the fourth grade, then fifth, and now the first graders. Mr. B said, “The children really love the fact that they are writing to seniors.  Many of the students here don’t live near their own grandparents and therefore don’t have much of a connection.”

At the beginning of the year, the twenty or so children choose their “fake” pen pal names and then parent volunteers come in to help them write their first letter. The letters are then sent to the Senior Center and are distributed to the Senior Pen Pals by coordinators Joyce Plucker and Donna Deneen. They do a great job coordinating the event, matching pen pals, designating times for letters to be written and delivered, etc.

Mr. B said, “At the beginning of the year the children need lots of help and by the end of the year they need very little.  The parent volunteers love to see how much progress the children make with their letter writing during the year.” It’s so funny, I’ve read quite a few of the letters some of the kids have sent to their pen pals and I always get a big kick out of what they say. Many of them ask their pen pals such questions as, “Do you have a pet?” “Do you like to roller blade?” “What soccer team are you on?” “How old are you?” “Do you play baseball?” Some of them give information such as how many brothers or sisters they have, the name of their dog, their favorite food and what they like best about school. Most of the kids will draw a picture and include that as well.

Once the seniors get their first letter, they also choose a “fake” name and write back by a date specified by Donna and Joyce. Each month, the kids wait excitedly for their letters to arrive. Mr. B said, “The children love when the seniors write about when they were young.”

The BIG EVENT is at the end of the school year when both Pen Pal parties get to meet each other in person when the Senior Center hosts a pizza luncheon, supplying the pizza, drinks and ice cream. The kids, along with Mr. B and parent volunteers, walk up to the Center from their school. Each child is then introduced one at a time to their senior pen pal and everyone’s “real” names are revealed. Pizza and sodas are passed out; this is the time the kids and seniors get to know each other. As I looked around, all I could see were smiling faces of all ages, both kids and adults chatting away from the excitement of finally getting to meet each other. The next favorite part is the musical show! The kids sing four or five songs they practice with the help of retired Hopkinton music teacher Barbara Porter. The kids love to perform and are all “stars!”

This year was pretty special because one of the student’s had no idea that his grandmother was involved in the program and that his pen pal was actually one of her friends! His grandmother said it wasn’t easy keeping the secret from him all year!

I had a chance to speak to a few of the kids and seniors about what the best part of the Pen Pal program was. Some kids like writing the letters, some like the singing part, and some like drawing pictures, pizza, soda and ice cream, but hands down, the most popular response was “Meeting our Pen Pal!” The seniors enjoy reading all the great stories and learning about their pen pal’s life. Mr. B said his favorite part of the program is “watching the children interact with their pen pals.”

I give my special CHEERS to everyone who makes this program a success: Donna Deneen and Joyce Plucker for coordinating everything, the first grade students and seniors for keeping up with their delightful letters, the parent volunteers for helping the kids out and to the Senior Center for hosting the Pen Pal Pizza Party each year. Special thanks go out to Mark Boisvert for creating this tremendous project and continuing with it year after year. He has certainly done one fantastic job!

A reminder: Next Wednesday, August 15 from noon-2 pm, is the annual picnic hosted by State Representative Carolyn Dykema at the Laborer’s Training Center on Clinton Street. This is always one of the great social events of the year; everyone always looks forward to it. Transportation will be provided for $2.00, please call the center to sign up.

That’s it for now, so if you have any comments or suggestions, you can email me: Punkala@aol.com . Until next time, have a great week!

Some Lucky Kentucky Inmates help needy dogs

 
A few lucky prisoners at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky are part of a unique program which places former stray dogs from the local The Humane Society with inmates for care and training. 12 dogs are placed with a hand selected group of 14 inmates who must go through a rigorous application process before joining the team. Each inmate is matched with a dog, living together 24 hours a day within the prison compound. There is also an inmate who serves as the clerk and another who is the janitor for the program. There are regular training classes for these inmates geared to preparing each dog for adoption with an outside family. The average stay for a dog is between 4 to 8 weeks depending on specific needs and challenges.
 
 
Greyhound Friends Inc. in Hopkinton, Massachusetts is one of the Shelters that has been working to place dogs from the Camp Canine Program. They have more information as well as dogs from the program available in their Hopkinton Shelter. Interested people can call (508) 435-5969 for more information. Contributed content.

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Ashland Resident Among Three Attorneys Nominated to District Court

BOSTON – Tuesday, August 7, 2012 – Governor Patrick today announced the nomination of three experienced attorneys to the District Court bench: Cathleen E. Campbell, as Associate Justice of the Cambridge District Court; Michael L. Fabbri (Photo), as Associate Justice of the Framingham District Court; and Mary F. McCabe, as a Circuit Justice of the District Court. 
 
“These nominees are experienced litigators who have demonstrated a commitment to the firm, fair and compassionate administration of justice,” said Governor Patrick. “I am confident that they have the knowledge, skills and temperament to excel as judges in the District Court, and I thank them for their willingness to serve.”
 
Cathleen E. Campbell has been a partner at the Boston firm of Schofield Campbell & Connolly, LLC since 2006, specializing in criminal and civil litigation. Prior to joining the firm, she was a sole practitioner in Allston for seven years, an Assistant District Attorney in Essex County for three years and an Assistant General Counsel and Inmate Legal Services Attorney in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department for four years. Campbell also served as an adjunct professor and senior lecturer at Northeastern University teaching criminal law and related courses for 14 years. She is a graduate of Northeastern University (B.A. summa cum laude, 1989) and Northeastern University School of Law (J.D., 1992). Campbell is a life-long resident of Allston. She is slated to fill the seat previously held by the late Honorable Jonathan Brant.
 
Michael L. Fabbri is the First Assistant District Attorney in the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office. He joined the office in 1985, after working for two years in a small general practice firm in Framingham. From 1992 to 1995, Fabbri worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Special Investigations Unit and the Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. He returned to the District Attorney’s Office in 1995 as the Framingham Regional Supervisor and Chief of the Special Investigations Division. In July 2010 he became Chief of the Homicide Unit and Chief Trial Counsel and in July 2012 he became the First Assistant District Attorney. Fabbri served in the United States Air Force for four years prior to attending college and also served as a member of the Massachusetts State Guard from 2005 to 2008. He is a graduate of Framingham State College (B.A. magna cum laude, 1980) and Northeastern University School of Law (J.D., 1983). Fabbri is a resident of Ashland. He is slated to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Paul F. Healy, Jr.
 
Mary McCabe has maintained a sole legal practice in Lawrence since 1987, with a focus on criminal and civil litigation. She held associate positions for two years at firms in Boston and Haverhill prior to opening her own practice. From 1979 to 1985, she served as an Assistant Clerk-Magistrate in the Lawrence District Court. McCabe has been very involved in community and charitable activities, including serving as a board member of the Lawrence and Essex County Bar Associations and Merrimack Valley Legal Services and as Director of Special Program for Camp Fatima Exceptional Citizens’ Week, a summer program for people with special needs. She is a graduate of Boston College (B.A. cum laude, 1975) and Boston College Law School (J.D., 1978). McCabe resides in Lawrence.

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Massachusetts State Police Arrest 10 Drunk Drivers in Week 2 of Routes 24/195 Patrol Surge
 Troopers Write 262 Citations, and MSP Commercial Vehicle Team Tickets 47 Truckers for Speeding

August 6, 2012 — Massachusetts State Police troopers deployed as part of the Routes 24 and 195 patrol surge made 10 drunk driving arrests on or in the vicinity of those two highways this part weekend, the second week of the initiative. Among those arrested were an impaired driver who was going the wrong way, against traffic, on Route 195 in Fairhaven, a driver who struck a cruiser on a detail on Route 195 in Fall River, and a driver who struck another vehicle on Route 24 and tried to flee.
 
Troopers who were assigned to the additional patrols arrested six impaired drivers during the overnight from Friday into Saturday, and arrested four more impaired drivers on the overnight from Saturday into Sunday. Patrol surge troopers also made nine non-OUI arrests on both days and issued three criminal summons. Additionally, troopers wrote 262 motor vehicle citations during this weekend’s operation.
 
In addition to those actions, the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, the department’s truck enforcement team, was deployed onto Routes 24 and 195 on three early mornings last week as part of the patrol initiative. Truck team troopers ticketed 47 truckers for speeding on those three mornings.
 
Arrested this past weekend were the following defendants. Please note that the arrests were made on Routes 24 and 195, as well as state and local feeder roads onto and in the vicinity of those highways.
 
PAULO F. MEDEIROS, 33, of Fall River, who was stopped at Plymouth Avenue and Hamlet Street in Fall River. Charged with OUI-Liquor 2d offense, negligent operation, unlicensed operation, and failure to stop for police.
IRIS A. ACEVEDO, 29, of New Bedford, who was stopped at Purchase and Linden streets in New Bedford. Charged with OUI-Liquor and unlicensed operation.
LAURIE A. LACLE, 48, of Somerset, who struck a cruiser on a detail on Route 195 westbound in Fall River. Charged with OUI-Liquor, negligent operation, leaving the scene of property damage, failure to move over for an emergency vehicle, and having a motor vehicle that does not meet safety standards.
TIMOTHY L. TEMPLE, 59, of Fall River, who was stopped on Route 24 southbound in Fall River. Charged with OUI-Liquor 2d offense and marked lanes violation.
DEBORAH ROGERS TRUESDALE, 51, of Mattapoisett, who was stopped on Route 195 eastbound in Mattapoisett. Charged with OUI-Liquor, negligent operation, and marked lanes violation.
ROBERT J. NICODEMISEN, 30, of Acushnet, who was stopped on Route 195 eastbound in Fairhaven. Charged with OUI-Liquor, negligent operation, and wrong way operation.
BLAINE A. BARTLETT, 22, of Lakeville, who was stopped on Route 495 southbound in Raynham. Charged with OUI-Liquor, negligent operation, and speeding.
CHERYL ROBBINS, 47, of Middleborough, who was stopped on Route 495 southbound in Bridgewater. Charged with OUI-Liquor, negligent operation, and state highway traffic operation.
NELITA A. MONTEIRO, 27, of Brockton, who was stopped at Crescent and Perkins streets in Brockton. Charged with OUI-Liquor, seatbelt violation, marked lanes violation, failure to take care in stopping or turning, and failure to stop or yield at a traffic signal.
JOSEPH M. ENSKO, 31, of Brockton, who was stopped after being involved in a hit and run on Route 24 northbound in Brockton. Charged with OUI-Liquor 2d offense, leaving the scene of a crash causing property damage, marked lanes violation, resisting arrest, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
 
Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police is deploying 11 extra patrols on Routes 24 and 195 and feeder roads from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday, and from 8 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday, every weekend through the end of September. This past weekend was the second week of the surge; the totals racked up for both weekends combined by the extra patrols are 19 OUI arrests, 16 other arrests, 12 summons, and 484 motor vehicle citations.
 
The patrol surge continues to have the impact we hoped for when we planned it. The operation has twin goals of enforcement and deterrence. We are going to take back these roads for innocent motorists, and take off the drunk, aggressive, and negligent drivers who have no regard for the lives or safety of other drivers.

New E-book LendingService

Hopkinton Public Library is pleased to now offer access to a larger collection of e-books via Freading™ eBook Service. The good news is with your library card and PIN, e-books via Freading™ are simultaneously available to multiple patrons and there is absolutely no waiting! The library pays for the download cost and there is a monthly download limit per patron. You will be alerted when you reach your monthly limit.

Freading™ has its own apps for your mobile devices, and is also compatible with Kindle Fire, Nook devices and Sony and Kobo Readers.

Visit https://hopkintonlibrary.freading.com for more information and login to get started!

Contact us with any questions at (508) 497- 3400 or rownak@hopkintonma.gov

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Jill Savignano, 50

     
Jill Savignano, 50, of Hopkinton, MA passed away Saturday August 4th at her home surrounded by her family.  Born in Needham, she was the step daughter of Ted Valpey Jr. and daughter of the late Frances Katy Valpey.  Jill was the loving wife of John Savignano for 26 years and devoted mother of John A. Savignano.  A resident of Hopkinton for 25 years, she was an avid gardener, but most importantly will be remembered for her passion to help others in need and her sponsorship of many foster children over several years.
            In addition to her husband, son, and step father, she is survived by one sister, Jennifer Greymont and her husband Alfred of New Durham, NH; sister in law; Gladys Walsh and her late husband Jeff Walsh of Needham; niece, Jackie Greymont - Weathers and her husband Zachary; nephew; Anthony Walsh; mother in law; Doreen Nazzari; and several step sisters and step brothers along with many other loving family members.
            A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Aug. 8th at 10:00am in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. in Ashland with burial to follow in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Hopkinton.  Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 PM in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 460 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, MA 02451  www.mataresefuneral.com

ROADWORK UPDATE

Roadwork will resume on Monday August 6 & Tuesday August 7 at 7am on the following roads.

Walcottt St - From Main St to A St.

Church St – From Main St to Maple St.

Cedar St Ext – From 1400’ west of Cordaville Rd to the Southborough line.

St John’s cemetery road – From Mayhew St to the cemetery garage.

Please expect delays and seek alternate routes if possible.

Thank you, Mike Mansir, Hopkinton Highway Manager

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