Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog

Mark Jensen, the Wisconsin man charged with poisoning his wife in 1998 has been found guilty of first-degree murder. Sentencing will take place on Friday although his conviction comes with a mandatory life in prison sentence. The conviction by the jury came after members deliberated for over 30 hours.

Jensen’s wife, Julie, was founded dead in her bed in 1998. Poisoning by ethylene glycol was the cause of death. Police say she had been given multiple doses. Just 30 ml of ethylene glycol can be deadly. Evidence during the criminal also indicated that a pillow might have been used by Jensen to smother her.

Prior to her death, Julie wrote a letter placing blame on her husband in the event that anything happened to her. She gave the letter to a neighbor. She also had told her son’s teacher and police that she thought Jensen was attempting to murder her.

Jensen was charged with 1st-degree murder in 2002. According to prosecutors, he was having an affair and wanted to get rid of his wife. Jensen’s defense team said that Julie was depressed, tried to kill herself, and then blamed her husband.

Strict hearsay rules that allow defendants to confront their accusers had blocked Julie’s statements and her letter as evidence. The issue of whether or not Julie’s words could admitted as part of the case delayed Jensen’s criminal trial for several years.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling compelled the Wisconsin Supreme Court to create an exception in this case so that Julie’s statements and letters could be admitted as a dying declaration of her state of mind when she died.

A couple of inmates testified that Jensen had admitted to killing his wife. One inmate testified that Jensen had asked him to kidnap a witness who was scheduled to testify.

A 2003 Massachusetts Domestic Violence Report by Jane Doe Inc. Lists several methods used for committing domestic violence homicide:

• Stabbing deaths
• Fatal firearm injuries
• Strangulation
• Blunt trauma to head
• Smothering the victim

As a criminal suspect or defendant for murder or any crime in Massachusetts, you are entitled to the best legal representation. Our Boston, Massachusetts criminal defense team would like to offer you a free consultation.

Husband guilty of murder in 'letter from grave' case, CNN.com, February 21, 2008

Jury: Man Used Antifreeze to Kill Wife, AP, February 21, 2008

2003 Massachusetts Domestic Violence Homicide Report

Related Web Resources:

Read Judy Jensen's Letter from the Grave, CNN.com

Ethylene Glycol, University of Cambridge

Continue reading " Mark Jensen Is Found Guilty of Murder After Being Implicated By Dead Wife’s Letter" »

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Posted In: Domestic Violence , Felonies and Violent Crimes , Murder

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Authorities throughout the United States are on the lookout for Andrew Boisvert, a 37-year-old Bridgewater, Massachusetts resident. Boisvert, a Waltham paramedic, is a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife Margaret Ninos. Ninos and Boisvert have a 7-year-old daughter named Maggie.

Boisvert is currently on the run. The Norfolk District Attorney’s office issued the arrest warrant against Boisvert on Friday and the national alert on Saturday. Ninos, a 47-year-old Medfield resident and obstetrics nurse, died from fatal head injuries on February 6.

Friends and former colleagues say that Boisvert and Ninos were involved in a child custody dispute over their child. Ninos’s friends say that Boisvert didn’t see his daughter a lot. He had custody of his child one weekend a month and got to visit her one Wednesday a month. Boisvert wanted to increase his visitation rights. He had remarried and has another child.

Police say that on February 6, Boisvert called 911 and directed them to Ninos’s home, where the body was found. Law enforcement authorities questioned Boisvert but allowed him to leave the crime scene.

A 2003 report by Jane Doe Inc., (JDI) the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, considers domestic violence-related homicides to include any of the following:

• The homicide victim and perpetrator were former spouses or intimate partners, adults or teens with a child in common, or adults or teens in a current or former dating relationship.

• The homicide victim was a bystander or intervened in an attempted domestic violence homicide and was killed (including friends, family members, new intimate partners, law enforcement officers or other professionals attempting to assist the victim of domestic violence, roommates and co-workers).

• The motive for the murder was reported to have included jealousy, in the context of an intimate partner or dating relationship.

• A relationship existed between the homicide perpetrator and adult or teen victim that could be defined as exhibiting a pattern of power and control (including family or household members and caregivers).

If you are a suspect or have been charged with a domestic violence-related crime in Massachusetts, you should contact one of our Massachusetts domestic violence lawyers today.

Nationwide alert issued for Medfield murder suspect, Daily News Tribune, February 11, 2008

Pals say slain woman battled ex over custody issues, BostonHerald.com, February 11, 2008

Slain Medfield mom’s ex on run from police, BostonHerald.com, February 10, 2008

Arrest warrant issued in murder of Medfield mother, BostonHerald.com, February 9, 2008

Related Web Resource:

2003 Massachusetts Domestic Violence Homicide Report

Continue reading "Nationwide Manhunt for Massachusetts Man in Murder of Medfield Mother Continues" »

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Posted In: Domestic Violence , Murder

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New England Patriots Football Player Randy Moss says he did not commit battery against the 35-year-old woman who has filed a temporary restraining order against him.

Rachelle Washington is accusing Moss, who she says she had an intimate relationship with, of battery, causing her serious injury, and denying her medical attention during a domestic violence incident that allegedly took place at her Florida home on January 6.

Moss says that Washington just wants to him to give her money. He says that Washington was injured but the injury was accidental. He says that Washington wanted “six figures” from him in exchange for her not making the incident publicly known. Moss says he cannot reveal details of exactly what happened because a lawsuit by Washington may be pending. He says that he has never struck a woman.

The restraining order says Moss must stay 500 feet away from Washington, who he has known for more than 10 years. A hearing on January 28 will determine whether a permanent restraining order against Moss will be issued.

Moss and Elizabeth "Libby" Offutt were charged in a 1996 domestic violence dispute. Offutt is the mother of his children. In the criminal complaint filed by police, Moss is accused of throwing steaming hot water on Offutt and pushing her down repeatedly when she tried to get up from a sitting position.

Moss accused Offutt of hitting and kicking him. The misdemeanor domestic battery charges were dropped after both of them agreed to undergo counseling.

If you are under investigation for domestic violence, you should contact a Massachusetts domestic violence lawyer who can apprise you of your legal rights and represent you in the event that charges are filed.

Moss denies battery claim, Boston Globe, January 17, 2008

Moss: I did 'nothing wrong', Boston Herald, January 17, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Randy Moss, NFL

Continue reading "New England Patriots Wide Receive Randy Moss Says He Did Not Commit Battery or Domestic Violence " »

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Posted In: Assault and Battery , Celebrity Crimes , Domestic Violence

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Statistics show that domestic violence-related murders are increasing in Massachusetts. As of October this year, there were 37 reported killings involving domestic violence. Last year, the total figure was 31 domestic murders. There were 15 domestic slayings that were reported in 2005.

The number of domestic killings for this year is still rising. On Monday, a 60-year-old Milford woman died after being stabbed to death by her husband. Joseph H. Ventola Jr, 63, who admitted the murder to a 911 operator. Joseph and Esther were married for 18 years. At his arraignment on Monday, Ventola, who has a history of depression, pleaded not guilty.

In another recent case, 30-year-old Millbury resident Justin Hiser pleaded not guilty to the stabbing murder of his ex-girlfriend Ronda Healey outside the T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant in Millbury where she worked as a waitress.

Hiser made an unprompted confession to Westborough police after a he was apprehended following a police chase in Southborough. Hiser had spent time in prison previously for assault with a dangerous weapon.

Healey and Hiser had previously lived together in Worcester. She leaves behind three children.

Toni Troop, the public relations director of Jane Do Inc., a company that keeps track of domestic violence murders, says that the increase in domestic violence-related deaths is a result of funding cuts that were made to national, state, and local domestic violence victims’ programs.

Domestic violence is a crime in every U.S. state and can involve verbal abuse, physical abuse, battery, sexual assault, stalking, and any other kinds of abusive behavior toward a relative or former spouse, partner, girlfriend, or boyfriend. Domestic violence is also called intimate partner violence (IPV).

Just because you have been arrested for a crime does not mean that you are guilty. You should speak with an experienced Massachusetts criminal defense attorney who can defend you against charges that have been made. You have a right to proper representation and defense.

Domestic slayings on the rise, Milford Daily News, November 28, 2007

Millbury waitress fatally stabbed; ex-boyfriend held, Boston.com, November 28, 2007

Suspect in Millbury stabbing made spontaneous confession, court documents say, Boston.com, November 28, 2007

Milford man charged with wife's stabbing death, Boston.com, November 27, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Massachusetts Law About Domestic Violence, Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries

Jane Doe Inc.

Continue reading "Domestic Killings in Massachusetts Continue To Rise With Recent Stabbing Slayings in Millbury and Milford" »

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Posted In: Domestic Violence

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