For Immediate Release: December 17, 2007                                      

Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 617-679-6522

Medford Man Arraigned On First Degree Murder Charge

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office informed the public today that a Medford man has been arraigned on a count of first degree murder and other charges in connection with the October death of Christopher Barbaro, age 50, of Winchester, and the shooting of his brother, Bryan Barbaro, age 48, also of Winchester.

Wally Jaques Simon, age 30, of Medford, was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court today on charges of first degree murder, home invasion, armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and carrying a firearm without a license.  Middlesex Superior Court Judge Hiller Zobel ordered Simon held on $350,000 cash bail and conditions.

According to authorities, at approximately 12:30 a.m. on October 24, Winchester Police responded to a 911 call of a reported shooting at 70 Irving Street in Winchester. When police arrived, they found Christopher Barbaro in his apartment unresponsive and lying on the floor, suffering apparent gun shot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bryan Barbaro, Christopher’s brother, was also shot at the scene. Bryan was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and treated for his injuries.

A joint investigation was immediately initiated by Winchester Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Later that day, Simon was arrested in connection with the incident.

Simon was arraigned in Woburn District Court on related charges of armed assault with intent to murder and home invasion. He was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail by Judge Marianne Hinkle while the investigation continued.

Upon further investigation, including witness statements and analysis of ballistic evidence, it is alleged that Simon, who is known to the victim, entered the second floor apartment and shot Christopher Barbaro while also stealing money from the apartment. Brian Barbaro, after hearing loud noises while in his third floor apartment, came downstairs into his brother’s apartment where he, too, was shot by Simon.

A pre-trial conference date is set for January 16, 2008.

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

The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney Nathaniel Yeager.

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