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Malden Man Found Guilty Of First Degree Murder

Posted on: November 25, 2015 - 12:15pm

WOBURN - Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Eugene Tate, 21, of Malden, was convicted of the first degree murder of 27-year-old Joseph Puopoloon Monday, November 23. The jury also found the defendant guilty of armed robbery, armed assault in a dwelling and illegal possession of a firearm. Judge Kathe Tuttman will sentence Tate on Monday, November 30 at 11:00 a.m. in Middlesex Superior Court.

“This case is once again an example of the risks associated with the sale of illegal drugs”, stated District Attorney Marian Ryan. “A young man lost his life and a family is left heartbroken all because of the profitability of illegal drugs.”

Stoneham Chief of Police James McIntyre added, “I thank the members of the jury for Monday’s verdict convicting Eugene Tate of first degree murder.  On July 3, 2013, Mr. Tate came to Stoneham and committed a crime that has forever changed the lives of two families in our community.  I hope that this guilty verdict helps the families in their healing process.  I would like to recognize the professionalism of the officers that responded to the scene that evening as well as the investigative work of the Stoneham Police and State Police detectives.  The cooperation between our agencies and the District Attorney’s Office helped make this prosecution successful. “

At 12:19 a.m. on July 3, 2013,Stoneham Police responded to reports of gunshots on Micah’s Pond Way in Stoneham. When officers arrived they found two males suffering from gunshot wounds. One of those men, Joseph Puopolo, had gunshot wounds to the chest and wrist. He was transported to Leahy Clinic where he was pronounced dead.  The second victim suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen but survived.

Puopolo had been invited to the Micah’s Pond Way where a drug deal was scheduled to take place.

When Tate arrived, he drew a hand gun and demanded drugs and money before shooting the victims. A second defendant, Jessie Williams, 26, of Medford, is alleged to have also participated in this crime.

This case was investigated by the Stoneham Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office.

The prosecutors in this case were Assistant District Attorney Tom O’Reilly and Assistant District Attorney Doug Nagengast. The Victim Witness Advocate was Beth Lane.

Jessie Williams is charged with murder, armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, assault in a dwelling and illegal possession of a firearm. These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Williams’ trial is scheduled to begin in January of 2016.