FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAWRENCE, Mass. – December 4, 2024 – Robert Severino, 25, formerly of Lawrence, was indicted by an Essex County grand jury today for the 2017 murder of Juan Espinal of Lawrence, who was killed at the age of 18, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announced. Severino is charged with first-degree murder. He was arrested in Worcester and arraigned in Lawrence District Court on October 24. At the arraignment, Severino pled not guilty before the Hon. Jason Chan, who ordered the defendant held without bail.

On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, Espinal was pronounced deceased at the intersection of Crescent and Forest streets in Lawrence. Authorities say the evidence demonstrates that Espinal was shot multiple times by two assailants, one of which was Severino. At the time of his death, Espinal was a student and high school basketball player in Lawrence.

The investigation included the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitives Apprehension Section, the Worcester Police Department, the Lawrence Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Tucker’s office. Co-Chief of Homicide Unit Jessica Strasnick has been assigned to prosecute the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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