Community Corner
Brookline Detectives Attend Homicide Conference
Brookline Police detectives, Sgt. Matthew McDonnell and Lt. Russell O'Neill, joined more than 115 colleagues from across the state
October 11 2019
DA Morrissey hosts Brookline
Find out what's happening in Brooklinefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Detectives at Homicide Conference
Two Brookline Police detectives, Sgt. Matthew McDonnell and Lt. Russell O’Neill, joined more than 115 colleagues from across the state at a 3-day homicide investigation seminar hosted by Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey and the Massachusetts State Police and Mass Bay Community College this month.
Find out what's happening in Brooklinefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“The case law and forensic science that shapes how we investigate homicides constantly evolves,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “There are a lot of moving parts in a homicide investigation– collecting physical evidence, video evidence, telephone evidence, testamentary evidence all has to happen simultaneously and within Constitutional limitations. The more detectives train and understand that process, the better the result.”
The conference featured Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Mindy Hull, Sacramento Deputy Sheriff Paige Kneeland, who investigated the Golden State Killer case in California, Sgt. Brandon Letterman, who investigated the Todd Kohlhepp serial killer case in South Carolina, and New Jersey State Police Det. Sgt. Glenn Garrels, who presented on investigating officer-involved shootings.
Norfolk DA Multimedia Director Coleen Crawford instructed on proper digital evidence collection and DA Morrissey’s General Counsel Marguerite Grant both presented on recent case-law changes and sat on the Emerging Legal Trends panel discussion, moderated by conference organizer Trooper Brian Tully, including Superior Court Judge Rosalind Miller and Christopher Kelly, the Digital Evidence Laboratory Director for Attorney General Maura Healey.
Mass State Police Trooper Brian Estevez from the MSP Gang Unit presented on homicide investigations involving street gangs.
“The State Police detectives assigned to my office and I work to maintain strong partnerships with the members of our local departments,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “When a homicide happens, it is important that we can work together and that we are working based on the same training and understanding of what is to be done.”
This press release was produced by the Town of Brookline. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
