For Immediate Release: January 22, 2008                                  
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 617-679-6522

Lowell Man Arraigned In Connection With Lowell Shooting

LOWELL– Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office informed the public today that a Lowell man was arraigned today in Lowell District Court in connection with the murder of Jose A. Villanueva, 36, also of Lowell.

Malein Meas, 24, was arraigned on one count of first degree murder this afternoon in Lowell District Court.  Meas appeared before Lowell District Court Judge Neil Walker who ordered Meas held without bail.  

According to authorities, at approximately 2 a.m. on January 20, Lowell Police responded to reports of gunshots outside a 7-11 store on the corner of Westford and Chelmsford Streets in Lowell. When they arrived, officers found a victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim, Villanueva, was transported to Lowell General Hospital and pronounced dead.

Lowell police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office commenced an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the incident. As a result of the investigation, it is alleged that Meas had a brief altercation with words exchanged with the victim and then shot Villanueva multiple times, resulting in his death.

Later that night, Lowell Police and Nashua Police arrested Meas at a Red Roof Inn in Nashua.  Police had applied for and been granted an arrest warrant for Meas on a charge of first degree murder in Lowell District Court that afternoon.  Meas was arrested in Nashua on a fugitive from justice complaint as a result of the outstanding arrest warrant and waived extradition to Massachusetts for arraignment on the first degree murder charge.

Meas next court date is in Lowell District Court for a pre-trial hearing on February 6.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Dunigan. The case is investigated by Lowell Police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

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