For Immediate Release: June 28, 2008                                     
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325

Arrest Made In Connection With Thursday’s Cambridge Homicide

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone and Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas informed the public today that a Cambridge man has been arrested in connection with Thursday’s stabbing death of Steven Raftery, 42, of Cambridge.

Last evening, James Foley, 39, was arrested in Watertown by Watertown Police working in conjunction with Cambridge Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. He was transported from Watertown to Cambridge where he was booked and charged with first degree murder.

Foley will be arraigned on Monday morning in Cambridge District Court.

“We allege that this defendant got into a brief altercation and then stabbed the unarmed victim, Steven Raftery,” District Attorney Leone said. ”I want to commend the Cambridge Police and Massachusetts State Police for their cooperative and thorough investigation into this incident.”

“I want to thank the members of the Massachusetts State Police and my department for their outstanding investigation into this matter,” Commissioner Haas said. “Because of their excellent work, this defendant has been quickly taken off the streets and we can now work to hold him accountable for his actions.”             

According to authorities, on June 26, at approximately 10:49 p.m., Cambridge Police responded to 211 Elm Street in Cambridge due to reports of an apparent stabbing. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Steven Raftery, 42, of Cambridge. He was pronounced dead on the scene due to an apparent stab wound. An autopsy was completed today by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who ruled the death a homicide caused by multiple stab wounds.

Cambridge Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the stabbing. Based on that investigation, it was alleged that Foley was responsible for the murder of Raftery, and police began an immediate search to determine where Foley was located.

Foley was discovered and arrested in Watertown last evening, where he was placed under arrest. He was then transported to the Cambridge Police Department where he was charged with murder.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case is Elizabeth Keeley. The case is being investigated by Cambridge Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

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