Guilty Verdict In Cold Case Killing Of Salem State Student

SALEM, MA — An Essex County Superior Court jury reached a first-degree murder conviction verdict in the strangulation of a 20-year-old Salem State University student nearly 40 years after her death on Tuesday.

John Carey, 66, was convicted in the June 29, 1986, killing of Claire Gravel, of North Andover. Prosecutors presented evidence of recent DNA testing that concluded that Carey's DNA was found on the black tank top that was used to strangle the student.

"What he left behind was his genetic blueprint on the murder weapon," Assistant Essex County DA Kim Faitella told the jury during closing arguments Monday.

The penalty for murder in the first degree is life without the possibility of parole. Carey will return to court for sentencing on March 26 at 2 p.m. for formal sentencing.

Following the verdict, Tucker lauded the work of Faitella, Homicide Unit Chief Jessica Strasnick, Deputy Chief of Appeals David O’Sullivan, Chief of Victim/Witness Services Maureen Leal, Massachusetts State Police Det. Lt. Robert DeMeo, former MSP Lt. Elaine Gill, who is now deputy chief of police at Merrimack College,Lt. (Ret.) Steven Buccheri, Lt. (Ret.) Jim Dowling, the late Det. Lt. Norman Zuk, and the Beverly Police Department.

Gravel's father, brothers and other family attended the trial.

"The family of Claire Gravel has waited 40 long years for justice," Tucker said. "The prosecutors here today, together with our partners in law enforcement, never gave up on Claire’s case, and today we are pleased that at least the family has some answers – some closure."