FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SALEM, Mass. – November 7, 2024 – An Essex County jury found John T. Shairs, 55, of Salem and formerly of Beverly, guilty of second-degree murder in the December 20, 2020 beating death of his then-girlfriend, Amore, 49, of Salem and formerly of Beverly, the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announces. Shairs, who was convicted on October 25, is scheduled for sentencing on December 4 in Superior Court in Salem.

At the trial, witnesses testified to a pattern of violent incidents involving Shairs, and evidence presented indicated that Amore died due to blunt force trauma to the head. The investigation included the Salem Police Department and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Tucker’s office.

The Hon. Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman presided over the trial. Deputy First District Attorney Kim Faitella prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth and, following the verdict, cited the work of Superior Court Chief James “Jay” Gubitose and Chief of Victim and Witness Services Maureen “Mo” Leal. Shairs was represented by attorney Michael Phelan.

“It is our sincere hope that this conviction brings some peace to the family and friends of Tina Amore,” said Tucker. “I greatly appreciate the hard work of Kim Faitella and our entire team in securing this conviction.”

Amore, a graduate of Beverly High School who went to Johnson & Wales University and worked as a legal secretary at State Street in Boston prior to beginning her family, was remembered as a mother to two children and as someone who enjoyed helping and caring for her friends and family.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Michael Keefe-Feldman

E: Michael.Keefe-Feldman@mass.gov

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