SJC orders new trial in '94 Milton murder case
By Globe Staff
The state's highest court has ordered a new trial in a 1994 murder case in Milton, saying that the prosecutor in the case went overboard in his closing arguments at trial, essentially giving testimony himself and vouching for the credibility of one of the witnesses.
Jameel Williams was convicted of first-degree murder in the June 10, 1994, shooting death of Gregory Cormier.
The Supreme Judicial Court said in its ruling today that a Norfolk County prosecutor who tried the case had "effectively placed himself inside the jury box" and had "placed the full force of his office" behind a key witness's credibility.
Williams and six others had been indicted in 2002 as part of District Attorney William Keating's cold-case iniatitive, Keating's office said. Williams was convicted in 2003.
Williams and co-defendant Kenyatta Murrell were found guilty of first-degree murder. Five other men pleaded guilty to accessory charges.
Keating's focus remains on the victim's family as he anticipates moving forward with a new trial, his office said in a statement.
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