Criminal charges can lead to severe penalties and consequences, especially when certain aggravating factors were part of the alleged crime. In the heat of the moment, a person might make decisions that ultimately seal his or her fate, especially when it comes to his or her day in court. Aggravating factors that may increase jail time, fines and other penalties include such things as the identity and the age of the victim. For one Massachusetts man, the decision to allegedly assist a robbery, which resulted in the death of a police officer, may seal his fate as an inmate in prison for a long time.
On August 28 of this year, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled on the case of Scott Hanright, a 22-year-old man who allegedly assisted his grandmother’s boyfriend in the jewelry store robbery that resulted in the death of Woburn Police Officer Jack Maguire. According to the Supreme Judicial Court’s opinion, the alleged robbery and murder took place in December of 2010, when Mr. Hanright was only 19-years-old. Mr. Hanright had been living with his grandmother, who was romantically involved with Domenic Cinelli. Mr. Hanright knew that Mr. Cinelli had been imprisoned for over 30 years for robbing jewelry stores. One day, when Mr. Cinelli was giving Mr. Hanright a ride to work, he mentioned the idea of robbing a jewelry counter by using a gun and a mask. Mr. Cinelli told Mr. Hanright that he wanted to commit the robbery during a snowstorm. Prior to the robbery, Mr. Cinelli and Mr. Hanright had driven escape routes for the robbery, and only a few days before the robbery, Mr. Cinelli told Mr. Hanright that he had gone to the store to rob it himself, but then decided against it due to the presence of police officers. Mr. Hanright was aware that Mr. Cinelli did, indeed, own a gun.
After a blizzard had covered the ground in a foot of snow, Mr. Cinelli called Mr. Hanright and asked if he wanted to go for a ride. Mr. Hanright noticed that Mr. Cinelli was wearing a fake beard and a mask, and he became afraid that Mr. Cinelli had a gun. He knew that Mr. Cinelli was going to commit the robbery that evening. Mr. Cinelli instructed Mr. Hanright to wear a ski mask and stand outside and wait for him while he robbed the store, and then the two would escape in the car. Mr. Cinelli collected jewelry from the store’s employees and then exited the store. An officer was responding the call that a robbery was taking place and chased Mr. Cinelli. Officer Maguire also responded to the scene and a gunfight ensued, in which both Mr. Cinelli and Officer Maguire were killed. Mr. Hanright attempted to flee the scene in a casual manner, but was later arrested.
The bostonherald.com reports that the state had appealed Mr. Hanright’s case to the SJC after a lower court judge dismissed four assault charges against Mr. Hanright, as well as a firearms charge. On the appeal, the SJC reinstated the charges, ultimately holding that Mr. Hanright may be held liable as a co-defendant in the killing of Officer Maguire, and other crimes that Mr. Cinelli committed during his attempted escape from the jewelry store. The state will have to prove that Mr. Hanright both participated in the crimes of Mr. Cinelli, and that he intended those crimes. For prosecutors, the SJC’s ruling is a victory. The Boston Globe reports that Mr. Hanright currently faces 22 charges in relation to the robbery and death of Officer Maguire. He is currently being held without bail.
Criminal charges can be very complex, especially when aggravating factors are present. If you have been charged with violating criminal laws, you should immediately seek out the assistance of an experienced attorney. Contact Edward R. Molari, Attorney at Law, today for a confidential consultation.