Life Sentence for 2005 Murder of Medford Man
Two Men Plead Guilty to Second Degree Murder Charge
Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced today that two men have pleaded guilty to second degree murder in connection with the 2005 beating death of John Doyle, 24, of Medford.
Joshua Dudley, 20, and Nicholas Harrell, 19, pleaded guilty late Friday afternoon in Middlesex Superior Court to charges of second degree murder. Superior Court Judge Jane Haggerty accepted their plea and sentenced them to life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 15 years.
“The convictions, first and foremost, hold these two defendants accountable for the murder of John Doyle. They are now admitting to John Doyle’s family, and to the court, that they are responsible for the victim’s tragic death. The fact that defendants who were so young could commit such violent acts makes this case all the more disturbing,” said Leone.
According to authorities, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2005, Malden Police responded to a report that a man had been beaten on the second floor of the parking garage located at 184 Centre Street in downtown Malden. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of the victim, John Doyle, and immediately contacted State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Together, they commenced an investigation into the circumstance surrounding Doyle’s death.
After a thorough investigation, it was determined that Dudley and Harrell were with the victim at the Centre Street garage. While in the garage, Dudley and Harrell physically assaulted and beat the victim to death, using their hands, shod feet and a glass bottle in the process. During the course of the attack, they also removed the victim’s clothing. After the attack, they left the victim naked in an elevator lobby and left the scene. The Medical Examiner later ruled that the cause of death was multiple blunt traumatic and sharp force injuries.
At approximately 11:15 p.m. that night, police encountered a suspicious male on Main Street in Malden in close proximity to the parking garage. This male, Joshua Dudley, was taken into protective custody and charged with murder the following morning. Later that day, Saturday, January 29, police sought and obtained an arrest warrant for Harrell, who was subsequently arrested.
Dudley and Harrell were arraigned in Malden District Court on January 31, 2005 before Judge Lee Johnson. Both pled not guilty and were ordered held without bail.
Dudley and Harrell were indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on March 29, 2005. Dudley was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on April 20, 2005 before Judge Regina Quinlan who ordered him held without bail. Harrell was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on April 25, 2005 before Judge Quinlan and was also held without bail.
The prosecutor assigned to this case is Special Assistant District Attorney Christopher Walsh. The victim witness advocate is Anne Foley.
– InsideMedford.com