For Immediate Release September 30, 2008                                     
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325

Two Men Given Life Sentences In Connection With Somerville Shooting

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office informed the public today that two men were sentenced this morning to life in prison after being found guilty of first degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Bernard Johnson, 22, of Worcester.

Valentino Facey, 23, of Cambridge, and Walter Norris, 22, of Dorchester, were sentenced by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Diane Kottmyer to life in prison without parole.  Both were found guilty yesterday of first degree murder and possession of a firearm without an FID card.  They each received four-five years in state prison on the possession charge, to run concurrently with their life sentences.  Facey was also found guilty of attempting to commit an armed robbery, for which he received an additional concurrent four-five year state prison term.  Norris was found guilty of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and received a concurrent eight-ten year state prison term.

According to authorities, the victim and his fiancé were at a small gathering at an apartment on Linden Street in Somerville prior to the shooting.  When the victim and his fiancé left the gathering, they were confronted by Facey, who had left the gathering just moments prior to the victim.  Facey and Johnson became involved in a physical altercation during which Facey attempted to steal a gold chain from Johnson at gunpoint. 

During the course of the attempted robbery by Facey, Norris emerged from the apartment where the gathering was held carrying a firearm.  Several other men also emerged from the apartment to the scene of the altercation.  Norris then shot Johnson several times. Facey, Norris, and the other men then fled from the scene.  Facey was located and apprehended by police a short time later. 

On August 30, 2006, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (ME) conducted its autopsy on Johnson.  The ME found the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds, and ruled the death a homicide.  Facey was arraigned in Somerville District Court before Judge Maurice Flynn that same day. He was charged at that time with armed robbery and being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm. Facey pleaded not guilty and was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail 

On October, 30, 2006, Facey was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury and charged with attempting to commit a crime.  He was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on November 13, 2006.  At arraignment he pled not guilty and was ordered held on $50,000 bail. 

Norris was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on charges of murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm on January 25, 2007.  Norris was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on January 27, 2007, and ordered held without bail.

The trial team was led by Assistant District Attorney Joseph Gentile and included Assistant District Attorney Nicole Allain, paralegal Patrick Demers, and victim witness advocates Daniela Bianco and Helena Clarke. The case was investigated by State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Somerville Police.

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