Guilty verdict for Entwistle

Neil Entwistle was found guilty this afternoon of murdering his wife Rachel and baby Lillian. The jury of 6 men and 6 women convicted him of two counts of first-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

It was announced at about 2:25 that the jury had reached a verdict, eliciting a stampede of reporters and spectators into courtroom 430. This was the first time the courtroom was completely full and people had to be turned away. Next to me a spectator and some reporters were squabbling over a space on a wooden bench. However, there were several bail hearings that had to be completed in the courtroom, so the verdict was not announced until after 2:45.

Neil did not show much reaction to the verdict. He smiled and nodded at his family as he entered the courtroom, and as he left he shrugged his shoulders and gave his family a sad look that seemed to say, "oh well." Neither of the families reacted noticeably, either.

After the verdict, the judge thanked the jurors and alternates and she met with them privately in another room. Neil's family, defense lawyers, Rachel's family, prosecutors, and Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone all spoke to the press. Unfortunately, I missed the Entwistles and the defense team, who spoke outside the courthouse, but I was there for the D.A.'s press conference in room 730.

Leone had some harsh words for Neil. "I'd like to begin by thanking the jury and honoring the memory of Lillian and Rachel," he said, surrounded by Rachel's family and friends. He pointed out that Lillian would have turned three years old this April. "She should be here, talking, walking, and playing with her mom, Rachel, doting over her...and that's not going to happen because of the reprehensible acts of Neil Entwistle." He then praised Rachel's parents, Joe and Priscilla Matterazzo, for their dignity in handling the tragedy. "At the same time that I commend Joe and Priscilla, I condemn Neil Entwistle," said Leone. "A just verdict has been returned, an Neil Entwistle will spend the rest of his life in jail where he belongs."

Then, Joe Flaherty, a spokesman for the family, thanked supporters, investigators, law enforcement, and prosecutors. "We do know that Rachel and Lillian Rose loved and trusted Neil Entwistle...Neil Entwistle will live with his evil deeds for the rest of his natural life, only to be judged again," he said.

Joe and Priscilla themselves briefly thanked people for sending them cards and condolences, and then Leone and Assistant D.A. Michael Fabbri answered questions from reporters. When asked to comment on Neil's family's reaction, Leone replied, "I'd expect nothing less from the parents of someone who's been convicted of first-degree murder...It was his cowardly, shameful, unforgivable acts that were the basis for this first-degree murder conviction." When asked about Neil's motive, he responded, "There are some acts that are so heinous, that are so shameful, there's never a reason, let alone a good reason." Fabbri, when asked what the most important piece of evidence was, said, "I think Neil Entwistle himself was one of the most critical pieces of evidence that we had."

As for my opinion, I have a lot of respect for the jurors and their decision. I am honestly not sure what I would have done if I was on that jury. The defense's suicide theory was certainly improbable, but I wouldn't call it impossible. The DNA on the murder weapon was what clinched the prosecution's case, but the gunshot residue (which was found on Rachel's hands and nothing of Neil's) made the defense's theory look plausible.

There will be victim impact statements tomorrow at 10:00, and Neil will then be sentenced to life in prison without parole, the only option for first-degree murder. His case will automatically be appealed. I'm guessing the warrantless searches of his house and the widespread pretrial publicity will be big issues on appeal.