Medford Man Found Guilty of 2007 Winchester Murder

A 36-year-old Medford man was found guilty Thursday of a 2007 Winchester murder, according to a release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.

Wally Jacques Simon broke into 50-year-old Christopher Barbaro’s Irving Street apartment in Winchester on Oct. 24, 2007, shot and killed him and then shot his brother Bryan Barbaro, 48, according to authorities.

Simon was found guilty of first degree murder by a Middlesex Superior Court jury after an eight day trial. He was also found guilty on the following charges: home invasion, armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily harm and carrying a firearm without a license.

He will be sentenced by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maynard Kirpalani on Friday, Oct. 18.

Simon knew both Barbaro brothers, according to authorities.

He broke into the residence at 70 Irving St. about 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 24, 2007, authorities said. He stole money from Christopher Barbaro and then shot him, and then he shot Bryan Barbaro, who lived upstairs and came down to check on his brother, according to authorities.

Bryan Barbaro was shot trying to stop Simon from fleeing.

Christopher Barbaro was pronounced dead at the scene. Bryan Barbaro was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he was treated for his injuries. He died of an unrelated heart attack in 2008.

Assistant District Attorneys Chris Tarrant, Jessica Noble and Gwendolyn Russell prosecuted the case.