Appeals Chief From Newton Named Prosecutor of the Year

Essex First Assistant District Attorney Elin H. Graydon was named Prosecutor of the Year on Thursday, March 26, at the Annual Massachusetts Prosecutors’ Conference. 

“Elin has the remarkable combination of intelligence, work ethic and passion for justice that makes for an extraordinary prosecutor,” District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett said in a press release. “As head of my Appeals Division, she has marshalled the forces of my staff to address such challenging issues as the Hinton Drug Lab scandal, the SJC decision to grant parole eligibility to convicted juvenile murders along with a full caseload of new trial motion oppositions. I have come to rely on her astute advice and she has been a tremendous mentor to our young assistant district attorneys.”

Graydon, who lives in Newton, served in the Essex District Attorney’s office for more than 30 years. Handling several “lifer” cases before the Parole Board, she’s also lead counsel for Essex County for the 11 juvenile first-degree murder cases. Among hundreds of cases she’s handled before the Appeals and Supreme Judicial courts is that of Alfred Hunter, who murdered his wife, stole an airplane and buzzed Fenway Park. She also handled the case of Jaime Fuller, a 16-year-old convicted of first degree murder for stabbing his girlfriend. The case of Gennaro Anguilo, the New England organized crime boss, was also among her resume.