Fitchburg Leominster News Magazine - Local News, Articles, Sports - Fitchburg Leominster MA

A Massachusetts man who was 19 years old when he drowned his father in a Duxbury pond has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Jack Callahan, now 22, told police in 2021 that he tried to exorcise a “demon” from his father, 57-year-old Scott Callahan, by baptizing him at Island Creek Pond. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday Jack Callahan had been charged with murder, but that a jury found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter at the end of an eight-day trial. Prosecutors say Callahan’s mother called 911 around 2 a.m. on June 28, 2021, reporting that her son was acting erratically. She told police that her ex-husband, the teen’s father, was missing in the area of Island Creek Pond. When police arrived at the home, they found the younger Callahan distraught and hyperventilating, authorities said. Police and fire crews responded to the pond to find Scott Callahan submerged. He was brought to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, where he was pronounced dead. Family members told NBC10 Boston at the time they were shocked and confused by the news. “He’s a good kid,” said Callahan’s uncle, Bill Hall Jr. “He’s smart, he’s nice. He’s not a violent person.” Investigators determined that Jack Callahan had picked up his father in Boston, and they took a rideshare back to Duxbury, where the two were dropped off near the pond. Prosecutors say there was a physical altercation before the drowning. The Boston Globe reported that Scott Callahan had walked away from an alcohol abuse treatment center, and that his son picked him up at a Boston bar. According to the Globe, Jack Callahan said he was exorcising a demon named “Dirty Dan,” telling police he gave his father a choice to go to heaven or hell and explaining, “I believe he chose hell.” Callahan is due to be sentenced Friday, May 3. More Duxbury news Duxbury Jan 25 1 year later, Duxbury community gathers to mourn 3 slain children Mar 8 Man charged with stealing Black Lives Matter banners from Duxbury church

A man was fatally shot in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Wednesday night and his suspected killer was arrested, authorities said. Jason Rivera was charged with murder and is being held without bail, the Essex District Attorney’s Office and Lawrence police said in a statement Thursday. The shooting took place on or near Margin Street on Wednesday evening, authorities said. The man who was shot was rushed to a local hospital, then a Boston hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He hasn’t been identified. It wasn’t immediately clear when or how Rivera was arrested, or if the 28-year-old from Lawrence had an attorney who could speak to the charge. He was due back in court May 17. The shooting remained under investigation. More Lawrence news lawrence Mar 28 Dozens of Lawrence residents lose power after car crashes into utility poles lawrence Mar 27 Man wanted in Christmas Eve killing at Lawrence nightclub

A former Massachusetts firefighter who ran a dog training and boarding facility in South Boston where he allegedly abused animals will be on probation for two years after pleading in the case, prosecutors said Thursday. Tyler Falconer, who used to own Falco K9, on Wednesday pleaded to a continuance without a finding on two count of animal cruelty by a custodian, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. A judge sentenced him to two years of probation and ordered that he not own any animals or operate any business involving animals for three years. Falconer was initially charged with three counts of animal cruelty by a custodian and three counts of improperly tethering or confining an animal. After he was charged, Burlington town officials announced that Falconer had been placed on paid leave from the Burlington Fire Department; he later resigned. Prosecutors said the alleged offenses involved three dogs boarded on various dates at Falco K9 that each lost significant amounts of weight or were injured. One dog allegedly lost 20 lbs.; another allegedly suffered a foot wound requiring medical attention. “All animals, especially pets at a facility specialized to board and shelter them, should be treated with care. Pets bring so much happiness to those in their lives. Boarding pets can be stressful, and owners deserve to know that their pets are being treated compassionately,” Hayden said in a statement Thursday. More on the Falco K9 case Animal cruelty May 12, 2023 Burlington Firefighter Who Ran Boston Dog Training Facility Charged With Animal Cruelty Boston May 31, 2023 Burlington Firefighter Charged With Animal Cruelty Resigns as ‘Disturbing' New Details Emerge

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden paid a $5,000 civil fine for violating conflict of interest laws during the 2022 Democratic primary election, according to the State Ethics Commission. The violation concerns the Democratic primary for the Suffolk County District Attorney race, which Hayden won over then-Boston city councilor Felix Arroyo. In August 2022, during the height of the race, a newspaper article resurfaced allegations against Arroyo in a 2005 sexual assault investigation. It set off a firestorm of criticism and prompted back-and-forth release of documents as Arroyo attempted to defend himself as he lost endorsements. It’s worth noting that the case was ruled unfounded. Just days before the primary, on Sept. 2, 2022, Hayden’s office issued a statement that his office had reviewed the files in the case, and that  “nothing in the file suggests the allegations were unfounded,” and that “the campaign to sabotage the victim’s credibility is shameful.”  That statement is what concerned the Ethics Commission, which said that Hayden knew his staff intended to release that statement and took no action to stop it. He also made no effort to withdraw the statement after the fact. “By these failures to act, Hayden knowingly or with reason to know used his official position as Suffolk District Attorney to secure for himself the unwarranted privilege of using valuable public resources for his own personal political advantage and violated the conflict of interest law,” the Commission said in a media release. Hayden went on to win the primary and the overall election for his position. He has paid the fine and signed an agreement admitting to the violation, and waiving his right to a hearing. A spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office released a statement on the situation Thursday. “The statement in question was written and released by me with no participation or coordination from the DA,” wrote spokesperson James Borghesani. “Our office’s communications on this matter were above-board, limited and cautious.  Out of great concern for the alleged victims involved, we responded to voluminous media questions with extreme care and without revealing any case details. However, District Attorney Hayden takes responsibility for his office and he wants no distractions from his vital mission of ensuring justice and public safety for the residents of Suffolk County.” Ricardo Arroyo Sep 7, 2022 Hayden Wins Controversial Suffolk DA's Race, Arroyo Concedes Ricardo Arroyo Sep 1, 2022 Judge Orders Release of Case File in 2005 Sexual Assault Allegation Against Arroyo

The Boston bouncer who allegedly stabbed a 23-year-old Marine veteran to death in March of 2022 pleaded guilty to manslaughter during a hearing Thursday morning in Suffolk Superior Court. Alvaro Omar Larrama, who was a bouncer at the former Sons of Boston bar on Union Street near Faneuil Hall, was charged in the killing of Daniel Martinez. Martinez was from the Chicago area. Larrama was originally facing a murder charge. A judge on Thursday sentenced Larrama to prison no more than 20 years in prison, and no less than 17 years. The Martinez family and their attorney spoke with news media following Thursday morning’s hearing. “It’s so important to our family that we get the message out not just a Marine was killed — a human being was killed,” Apolonia Martinez said, holding framed photos of her son. Martinez said she was appreciative of an apology that Larrama gave in court. “I do forgive him, but I still stand firm that he should spend 20 years in prison,” Martinez said. The incident happened on March 19, 2022. Prosecutors at the time said that Martinez was waiting in line with a friend just before 7 p.m., when words were exchanged between Larrama and Martinez. Investigators learned that Larrama denied Martinez and his friend entry to the bar. Prosecutors said that the pair began walking away, and was pursued by Larrama. Larrama allegedly stabbed Martinez in the chest during the incident. Martinez was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The bouncer, an East Boston resident, turned himself in two days later. Sons of Boston had its liquor license suspended in April of 2022. A former manager and partial owner pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in November 2023. The bar’s ownership was preparing to reopen under the name Loyal Nine, the Boston Globe reported last year, which has since opened its doors. More Boston news Boston 12 hours ago Boston police at Northeastern encampment after clearing one at Emerson Apr 21 Dozens of 911 calls made to report drag racing, cars doing donuts in Boston's Back Bay