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« Update: Parents of slain Mansfield man speak out | Today | Weather service warns of high surf » July 9, 2008Update: Teen pleads not guilty in Central Falls murder
PROVIDENCE –– The teenager accused of fatally shooting another 19-year-old in a confrontation in Central Falls two months ago was arraigned in Superior Court this morning on an indictment charging him with murder. Anthony Strobert, 19, was charged not only with first-degree murder, felony assault and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence in the shooting, which ended the life of Helder Tomar, 19, of Pawtucket, and prompted a curfew in the panicked City of Central Falls. Strobert, 19, of Central Falls, was also charged with carrying a pistol without a license -- a charge that indicated a dramatic change in the way law enforcement officials view the case. Statements provided immediately after the April 26 shooting led police to believe that Tomar brought the murder weapon to the spot on Fletcher Street where the confrontation occurred. Based on those statements, the police believed that Strobert managed to take the weapon from Tomar and kill him with it after Strobert suffered a gunshot wound in the fight. Subsequent investigation revealed that it was Strobert, not Tomar, who brought the murder weapon, a spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office said. “The facts support the allegation that Anthony Strobert shot and killed Helder Tomar after Strobert pulled a gun out of his waistband and approached Tomar near Jenks Park,” Michael J. Healey said. This morning’s arraignment took place before Magistrate Joseph A. Keough, who asked Strobert whether he had a lawyer, and designated the Public Defender’s Office to represent him during the proceeding when Strobert answered, “I think so. I don’t know.” Assistant Public Defender Joseph Dwyer conferred with Strobert briefly, before stepping up to the courtroom microphone and entering a not guilty plea on Strobert's behalf. -- Journal staff writer John Castellucci Dwyer, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall, towered over the defendant, a slightly built, 5-foot 3- or 4-inch-tall teenager with a thin mustache and close-cropped hair. Keough continued the case until next week and in the meantime ordered that Strobert continued to be held at the Adult Correctional Institutions without bail. The April 26 murder was followed by another, a day later, in Central Falls. Edelmiro Roman, 16, was shot dead on Dexter Street. No suspects have been arrested in that slaying. Healey was asked whether it was in retaliation for Tomar’s slaying, as police believe. “I know Central Falls police believe that is a plausible theory, but since there are no suspects, here’s really nothing to back it up at this point,” Healey said Posted by Jack Perry CommentsPost a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006