On a November evening in 2014, a senseless act of violence cut short the life of 17-year-old White male, Ryan Duce Morrissey of Charlestown, Massachusetts. The shooting, which occurred on November 5th, also resulted in the serious injury of his friend, James Lawton. Ryan was a senior at St. Clement's High School and a beloved member of his community, known for his wit and charisma. He was a junior counselor at the Charlestown Boys & Girls Club and active in local youth hockey.
He passed away from his injuries on November 9, 2014.
The investigation into the shooting led to the arrests of three men: Julio Baez, Danilo Soto, and Alexander Soto. Prosecutors alleged that the Sotos carried out the shooting while Baez acted as the getaway driver. The trial, however, concluded with a surprising verdict in February 2018. A Suffolk Superior Court jury found Danilo and Alexander Soto not guilty of the murder. Julio Baez was the only one convicted, found guilty of first-degree murder and armed assault with intent to murder. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge at his sentencing described the shooting as an "execution style" attack, also noting that it was believed Ryan and his friend were not the intended targets.
The legal saga took another dramatic turn in July 2024 when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court overturned Julio Baez's conviction. The state's highest court ruled that prosecutors had failed to present sufficient evidence to prove that Baez was aware that the men he was driving intended to commit the murder. This decision reversed the jury's verdict, and the court ordered that a finding of not guilty be entered for Baez, bringing an end to the legal proceedings years after Ryan Morrissey's untimely death.
