Second-Degree Murder Parolee Taken Down By K-9 In Rochester

CONCORD, NH — Members of the New Hampshire State Police Mobile Enforcement Team tracked down and arrested a man convicted of second-degree murder in the 1980s who is out on parole but wanted on violations. At just before 7:45 p.m. on Thursday night, a state trooper spoke to two bicyclists in the parking lot of the Lilac Mall in Rochester after observing them riding on Route 125 North "in a manger which had been obstructing vehicular traffic," according to Sgt. Mark Hall of the NHSP. One of the bike riders – a woman – matched the description of a suspect involved in a theft incident at a local convenience store.

"Upon being questioned, the male party provided a false identity," Hall said, as other troopers arrived at the scene.

Troopers identified the man as John R. Sweeney, 52, of Concord, a convicted second-degree murderer. The State Board of Parole had an active warrant for his arrest on a parole violation.

"As troopers developed this information, Sweeney fled on foot through the parking lot of the Lilac Mall toward a wooded area," Hall added.

A K-9 unit – Gauge – and his trooper began chasing Sweeney and the dog "successfully incapacitated Sweeney, bringing (him) to the ground," which allowed troopers to take him into custody.

Sweeney was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital for injuries he received after the K-9 unit caught up to him. He was transported to the Strafford County House of Corrections where he was held without bail.

On July 18, 2019, Sweeney was charged and processed on the parole violation as well as resisting arrest or detention and obstructing government administration. He will be transported back to the state prison at a later date.

The woman successfully fled the scene, Hall noted, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Sweeney, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader, was convicted for setting up his friend – Harry Macropol Jr. – to be murdered by Darren Starr on New Year's Eve 1986, in the woods off Old Candia Road in Auburn. The falling out between the three was concerning money owed for car parts. Macropol's body was discovered a few weeks later riddled with shotgun bullet holes and stuffed in a barrel that had been set on fire.

Both Starr and Sweeney were convicted of second-degree murder; with Sweeney being up for parole in 2005 and Starr in 2015. Back in 2003, Sweeney requested that the state suspend the remainder of his sentence, a request that was supported by state Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester, who was friends with Sweeney's family. The request infuriated the family noting that Sweeney had plea bargained his sentence to get to 18-years to life and shouldn’t be released early. The NH AG's Office filed an objection to the request due to Sweeney having numerous disciplinary writeups between 1995 and 2002. According to reports online, Sweeney sued to get early release but was rejected.

Sweeney was released on parole in 2005, but later, sent back to prison due to violations, according to Laura Montenegro, the public information officer for the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. He will be on parole for the rest of his life, she added.

In 2012, he filed another lawsuit claiming he was not receiving significant health care while in prison and making accusations of excessive force by guards at the NH DOC.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact Trooper Matthew Locke of the New Hampshire State Police – Mobile Enforcement Team at 603-223-8490 or Matthew.Locke@dos.nh.gov.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire State Police and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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