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Arrest

State trooper from Ashby seriously injured by suspected drunk driver in Utah

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A state trooper from Ashby continues to recover from the serious injuries he sustained on vacation in Utah when a suspected drunk driver crashed into the ride-share vehicle he was traveling in during the early morning hours Friday.

Trooper Matthew McRae, 28, experienced several broken bones, including a broken neck, and a spinal injury during the wreck, which took place in Salt Lake City, according to a GoFundMe account organized by his family.

State Police Colonel John Mawn Jr. released a statement on Tuesday morning stating McRae was still in the intensive care unit at the University of Utah Hospital, in Salt Lake City.

“Trooper McRae’s family is with him at the hospital, as is a member of the Executive Board of the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM),” Mawn said. “SPAM is spearheading efforts, along with our Employee Assistance Unit, to support Trooper McRae and his family.”

As of their latest post on the GoFundMe account on Monday, McRae’s family said he “makes small improvements every day.”

“Matthew is a fighter and continues to battle on,” they stated.

A press release from the Salt Lake City Police Department said emergency responders received multiple calls about the crash just after 1 a.m. Friday. Crews arrived on scene to find two cars with heavy damage.

Police said a preliminary investigation determined 19-year-old Liam Kavanagh, operating a Mini Cooper, was traveling at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a Kia.

According to police, officers determined Kavanagh was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the wreck.

Kavanagh suffered serious injuries, which police described as not life threatening. He was arrested on felony driving under the influence, unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor, and a traffic infraction.

“Additional charges may be filed upon a case review with the district attorney’s office,” police said in the release.

Three people were inside the Kia, including McRae, who was in the backseat with another passenger. Police said the other passenger had serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The ride-share operator endured minor injuries.

“The sad irony of this tragic situation is not lost [on] anyone who knows Trooper McRae,” Mawn said in Tuesday’s statement. “A graduate of the 85th Recruit Training Troop currently assigned to the State Police-Belchertown Barracks, as well as a former local police officer, he has dedicated his life to protecting others and making the Commonwealth’s roads safer.”

A close friend of McRae, Keegan Ezzio, described McRae as “truly a one of a kind person.” McRae is set to be the best man in Ezzio’s wedding, which is slated to take place in October.

“You seldom meet a person that everyone likes and Matty is one of those people,” Ezzio said.

Learning about the crash was the scariest phone call Ezzio said he has ever received.

“We are just thankful he is making small improvements day to day since he is the fighter I’ve always known him to be,” Ezzio added. “We have so many people to thank for the support for Matty.”

Mawn thanked the emergency crews in Utah, and reminded the community of “the tragic consequences” of drunk driving.

“As first responders, we are too well-versed in the fragility of life,” Mawn said. “The tragic consequences of motor vehicle crashes and impaired drivers that we see in the course of our work in no way dulls the emotions we feel when one of our own is so harmed.”

According to his family, McRae has served as a trooper for four years. Before that, he served with the Berlin Police Department for three years.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe account had raised just over $100,000.

According to a post, the family met their financial goal to cover McRae’s medical transport back to Massachusetts within the first 24 hours, but they are still accepting donations for ongoing medical care and any other unforeseen expenses.

“He has already defied the odds and continues to fight this very minute here in this hospital for his life,” McRae’s family stated. “For now, we ask for privacy and your continued prayers as we navigate the next steps in this process. Thank you all again for your love and support during this difficult time.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/help-us-to-raise-money-on-behalf-of-matthew-mcrae.

Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis

Police respond to assault outside Market Basket

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FITCHBURG – Patrol officers were on patrol on River Street when they noticed an altercation outside of Market Basket last week, which lead to one individual arrested and the other transported to a hospital.

When driving through the area of 90 Water Street, officers observed an assault outside of Market Basket at 9:48 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, according to Fitchburg Police Capt. Christopher Garcia.

Garcia said the assault was the result of a disagreement between the two parties involved.

Police charged Kris Anne Gleason, 55, of Fairmount Street in Fitchburg with assault and battery. Police say the victim of the assault was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Assault and Battery on a police officer

On Saturday, Aug. 5, police arrested Brookside Drive resident and charged him with assault and battery on a police officer and assault on a police officer.

Garcia said police responded to a domestic incident in which one individual had called for police assistance. The offender allegedly struck both officers that responded to the call but luckily did not injure anyone.

Police arrested Dominique Chaput, 30, of Brookside Drive, while at a Frankfort Street address. Chaput was charged with assault on a police officer and assault and battery on a police officer.

Former child care worker, ex-NH state rep indicted on federal child sexual exploitation charges

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BOSTON — A former child care worker and a past New Hampshire lawmaker were both indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation of children at a Tyngsboro day care.

Lindsay Groves, a former employee of Creative Minds Early Learning Center, and Stacie Marie Laughton, who served as a New Hampshire state representative, were both indicted on three counts of sexual exploitation of children, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s office.

Groves is additionally charged with one count of distribution of child pornography.

Laughton, 39, of Nashua, N.H., who was the first openly transgender lawmaker in the state, appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday, where she pleaded not guilty to each of the three counts filed against her.

During Laughton’s appearance, her attorney, Jessica Hedges, told Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell that her client would consent to voluntary detention. Cabell agreed to the detention.

Laughton told Cabell, “Your honor, I am indigent,” and requested a court-appointed attorney. Cabell said the financial affidavit allows for one, and so appointed Hedges and attorney Hannah Taylor.

According to Levy’s office, Groves, 38, of Hudson, N.H., will appear in federal court for her arraignment at a later date. In the meantime, she also remains in custody.

A criminal complaint filed in federal court states that between May 2022 and June 2023, Groves allegedly took photographs of nude children at the Creative Minds day care and then sent the images to Laughton through text messages.

According to the criminal complaint, Groves allegedly used bathroom breaks for the children, including routine diaper changes, to take the pornographic photographs of the children.

A preliminary investigation allegedly uncovered more than 10,000 text messages between Laughton and Groves that included discussions about, and the transfer of, explicit photographs that Groves had taken of children at the day care.

According to court documents, the photographs include at least four sexually explicit images of three 3-year-old children, as well as graphic descriptions of sex with each other and the children.

In one alleged text exchange, Groves and Laughton talk about their wishes to have sexual contact with children at the day care, and the possibility of getting caught.

Groves wrote to Laughton, according to the criminal complaint, that she “wasn’t being serious” when she said she “was afraid that the kids will run to the parents if we do it with them.”

“OK because like I get concerned about that because I don’t wanna get caught if we do,” Laughton responds, according to the criminal complaint.

“I was joking anyway and you took me serious,” Groves allegedly wrote back to Laughton.

“Oh I know but I just don’t wanna get in trouble,” Laughton allegedly responded. “I mean I want to do what we want to do because we like it and we approve of it but others think this is wrong. Lots of parents don’t like people touching their kids and it is against the law.”

The investigation is ongoing.

“The conduct alleged today is horrific and inexplicable,” Levy said in a press release issued by his office on Thursday. “This case is a reminder of how critical it is that we continue to focus on people who prey on our most vulnerable population, children.”

The charge of sexual exploitation of children includes a potential sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, while distribution of child pornography includes a possible prison sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding the case are asked to call 617-748-3274.

Levy’s office has stated Creative Minds has cooperated with authorities during the course of the investigation.

Boston Herald reporter Flint McColgan contributed to this report.

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis

Eric Griffin found guilty of 1st-degree murder in death of Jennifer Kalicki

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LOWELL — It took jurors less than five hours of deliberations to find Eric Griffin guilty of all charges levied against him, including first-degree murder, for the brutal beating death of his girlfriend, 39-year-old Jennifer Kalicki, in 2019.

Throughout Griffin’s trial, which began in Middlesex Superior Court on June 29, several of Kalicki’s loved ones were present in the courtroom, including her mother, Kathy Gadd.

Each day of the trial, Gadd was seated in the front row of the courtroom gallery, a few dozen feet away from Griffin as he sat at the defendant’s table.

Right before jurors announced their decision late Wednesday afternoon, Gadd was again present in the front row, her eyes closed, and her lips moving in a silent prayer.

The joy and relief she felt after hearing the guilty verdicts was evident as Gadd embraced family and friends in the courtroom gallery, including her only other child, Matthew Kalicki, and her husband, George Gadd.

“I’m in shock, I really am,” Kathy Gadd said, with tears on her cheeks. “It’s what I wanted, but I never expected to get it. I thought somehow it wasn’t going to happen, but I’m so happy because (Griffin) does deserve to suffer.”

Jennifer Kalicki’s close friends, Mernaysa Rivera and Junie Joseph, were also present in the courtroom on Wednesday. They cried and hugged after hearing jurors return the guilty verdicts against Griffin.

Rivera and Joseph agreed that Kalicki’s death ultimately saved the life of another.

“Jen is gone, but he’s never going to hurt anyone ever again,” Rivera said of Griffin.

“She can rest in peace, and justice has been served,” Joseph added.

In addition to first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, Griffin was convicted of intimidation of a witness, strangulation, and two counts of assault and battery of a household member.

Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Wiseman revealed during the trial that Griffin and Kalicki had been dating on and off for a couple years prior to Kalicki’s death. The couple’s relationship was “punctuated by violence,” the prosecutor said during her opening arguments on June 29.

According to Wiseman, Griffin’s violent tendencies would boil to the surface when Kalicki tried to prevent him from abusing drugs.

“This case is about abuse that culminated in murder,” Wiseman told jurors.

On the morning of Sept. 15, 2019, Kalicki’s body was found by first responders inside the one-bedroom apartment she shared with Griffin on Archstone Avenue. It was revealed during the trial that Griffin told police he called first responders to the apartment after he found Kalicki in bed unresponsive and cold to the touch.

Wiseman contended Griffin had staged Kalicki’s body in the bed after beating her the day before, and then “left her there to die.” Multiple witnesses testified to seeing Kalicki lying in bed the previous day and night.

Dr. Anand Shah, a forensic pathologist with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, testified during the trial that an examination of Kalicki’s body determined she died from “blunt force head injuries.”

“Specifically at least four areas of blunt force trauma to the back of her head, causing a brain bleed, which caused an agonizingly slow death,” Wiseman told jurors during her roughly hourlong closing remarks on Tuesday.

At points throughout the trial, Wiseman, and Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Maren Shrader, displayed the grisly images of Kalicki’s body that displayed bruises and abrasions scattered across the 39-year-old’s body they said were caused by Griffin.

Griffin’s attorneys, William Dolan and Debra DeWitt, contended during the trial that Kalicki could have been the aggressor, while Griffin was simply defending himself against her. The defense referenced injuries seen on Griffin’s face, caused by Kalicki before her death.

Dolan and DeWitt also pointed to Kalicki’s arrest for allegedly assaulting Griffin in June 2019 — a charge that was later dismissed.

“They want you to believe that this is as simple as angels and demons,” Dolan told jurors about the prosecution during his opening remarks. “That Eric was a demon and Jen was an angel, even when she assaults him. … Eric is no demon, and Jen was no angel.”

Dolan and DeWitt stood next to Griffin as the jurors revealed their verdicts shortly after 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Griffin, who appeared dejected throughout the trial, continued to appear that way upon learning his fate.

Afterward, DeWitt said they are all disappointed by the trial’s outcome, adding, “I don’t think the jury got it right.”

“I think we have a couple appeal issues to look at, but it’s a tragedy for both families,” DeWitt said.

A common theme in the trial was Griffin’s substance abuse issue. DeWitt noted Griffin is now “thinking with a clear mind” after spending the last several years behind bars, awaiting his trial away from drugs.

“It is clear he was battling demons back then,” DeWitt said. “Addiction.”

Tewksbury Police Sgt. Shane Gallagher, who played a key role in the case’s investigation, and Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus, were also on hand in the courtroom on Wednesday. They stood back and watched as Kalicki’s family and friends celebrated the verdicts.

Columbus pointed out he was a detective lieutenant at the time of the murder.

“To see (Kalicki’s) lifeless body and to kind of know what she went through, it’s a bit emotional,” he said. “This is the job that we do, this is what we signed up for, but it always doesn’t work out this way. It’s incredible for me to be here to see this come full circle and to see the family and their elation.”

Gallagher and Columbus praised the work of law enforcement, and Wiseman, who Columbus described as “an incredible prosecutor.”

“It was great to see that all the facts were able to be put together to give the family justice,” Gallagher said. “To see the family and their reaction, all the dedication and work everyone put forward, it made it all worth it.”

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan released a statement on Wednesday night, announcing Griffin’s conviction.

“This verdict signifies our commitment to holding perpetrators of domestic violence accountable and exemplifies the good work of the team of prosecutors and police who spent months investigating this case in the Grand Jury and who dedicated themselves to gathering additional evidence that demonstrated the violence and intimidation being inflicted upon the victim,” Ryan said. “This type of controlling behavior is far too common in these cases and calls greater attention to the need for addressing the public safety and public health risk.”

At the time of her death, Kalicki worked in the Human Resources Department of Tewksbury State Hospital. A couple weeks after her death, a candlelight vigil, attended by approximately 200 people, took place outside the facility.

Kathy Gadd wears three bracelets that honor her daughter’s life, one for each year since Kalicki’s death. She also has a tattoo that states “Jenny” on her forearm. Above the name is a picture of a heart with angel wings.

Gadd smiles while pointing out the heart is decorated with Kalicki’s thumbprint.

“She was my baby, and she was my angel,” Gadd said. “Whether (attorney) Dolan says so or not. She was my angel. Otherwise she wouldn’t be gone.”

Griffin will be sentenced in Woburn District Court at 2 p.m. July 27.

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis

Hudson, N.H. man held without bail in mother’s murder

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HUDSON, N.H. — A bouquet of flowers with a note attached, stating “RIP Christine,” decorated the steps in front of 35 Shoal Creek Road on Friday afternoon.

A resident of the quiet street, located in Hudson’s bucolic Rolling Green community, said the flowers appeared on the steps of 57-year-old Christine DeGiacomo’s home after authorities finished their on-scene investigation into her alleged murder.

Authorities announced on Thursday that Christine DeGiacomo was allegedly beaten by her son, Grant DeGiacomo, 26, inside the home on Wednesday night. She later died from her injuries.

Grant DeGiacomo has been charged with her murder.

“This is a quiet, safe neighborhood,” Christine DeGiacomo’s next-door neighbor said from his doorway on Friday. “Nothing happens here. People are just living their life, doing their thing, and then all the sudden this.”

The neighbor, who did not want to give his name, shares a common wall with the DeGiacomo home. He said he could hear arguing coming from the apartment on Wednesday night, but it seemed like nothing out of the ordinary.

“And all the sudden it went from that, to us hearing banging, and then the screaming,” the neighbor said, adding it sounded like a woman “screaming for her life.”

“It escalated just like that, and I was probably on the phone with 911 within 30 seconds,” he said.

Police arrived on scene within minutes. The neighbor said he watched through his Ring camera as Grant DeGiacomo was taken from the home in handcuffs, while Christine DeGiacomo was removed on a gurney.

Authorities said in a press release that they found Christine DeGiacomo suffering from traumatic injuries upon their arrival shortly before 9:45 p.m.

According to documents available in Hillsboro Superior Court Southern District, the 57-year-old woman was transported to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, in Nashua, where she was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.

Following an investigation, court documents state authorities obtained a warrant for Grant DeGiacomo’s arrest.

“Mr. Grant DeGiacomo is charged with recklessly causing the death of Christine DeGiacomo under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by repeatedly striking her head,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella in Thursday’s arrest announcement.

Grant DeGiacomo waived his formal arraignment hearing that was scheduled in Hillsboro Superior Court Southern District on Friday. Senior Assistant Attorney General Scott Chase said the 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and is being held without bail.

Family members appeared in the courthouse on Friday. One woman, who identified herself as Christine DeGiacomo’s sister-in-law, volunteered to talk about her beloved family member with members of the press.

“She was a wonderful person,” she said, growing emotional as she spoke about Christine DeGiacomo. “She was always happy, she was always there, she had the best friends, she loved Bermuda, she loved her dog, she loved her cat, she was a great girl, and I’ll miss her.”

Court records show this is not Grant DeGiacomo’s first experience with law enforcement.

In January 2020, he was arrested for reckless conduct after police said he fired a gun inside the home on Shoal Creek Road while intoxicated.

According to police reports about the incident, the bullet passed through a bedroom door, through an interior hallway wall, and then into a common wall shared with the next-door unit. Police said in the report that the bullet became stuck in the wall, and did not penetrate the neighboring unit.

No one was injured during the incident.

According to police reports, Grant DeGiacomo told officers he accidentally discharged the firearm while “playing” with the weapon. A family member told police at the time that Grant DeGiacomo is an alcoholic who struggles with mental health issues.

Court documents state Grant DeGiacomo pleaded guilty to reckless conduct for the offense, and was sentenced to 12 months in jail.

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis

Former NH state rep arrested in child pornography case at Tyngsboro day care

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TYNGSBORO — A former New Hampshire state representative was arrested for distributing sexually explicit photographs of children that authorities say she received from her former romantic partner, who took the photos while employed at a Tyngsboro day care.

Stacie M. Laughton, 39, of Derry, N.H., who was the first openly transgender lawmaker in New Hampshire, is charged with four counts of distribution of child sexual abuse images, according to the Nashua, N.H. Police Department.

Laughton allegedly received the obscene photographs, which include images of children around 3 to 5 years old, from Lindsay Groves, 38, of Hudson, N.H. Authorities said Groves took the photographs of the children during bathroom breaks while she was employed at Creative Minds Early Learning Center.

Nashua Police said Groves is charged with four counts of possession of child sexual abuse images. In addition to the local charges, Groves faces federal crimes, including one count of sexual exploitation of children, and one count of distribution of child pornography.

Laughton and Groves are both being held without bail.

A spokesperson for the state Department of Early Education and Care said that the Creative Minds Early Learning Center based in Tyngsboro voluntarily closed on Friday due to the allegations.

“EEC and the Administration are working in close collaboration with law enforcement at this time and are prepared to support families as needed,” the spokesperson said. “EEC does not comment on pending investigations.”

A press release from Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s office states Creative Minds has also cooperated with authorities during the course of the investigation.

Creative Minds operates three centers, including Westford Road in Tyngsboro, and two other locations in Dracut. The privately-owned center is for infants to preschoolers, according to their website.

“Creative Minds Early Education is cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure a complete and extensive investigation into the allegations regarding a single former staff member,” George Panas, the attorney representing Creative Minds, said in a written statement. “We want to ensure our families that their children’s safety and privacy is of the utmost importance. We will make every effort to support all of our families during this difficult time.”

The lights were off inside Creative Mind’s Tyngsboro location on Friday, though there was a great deal of activity right outside its doors. Television news crews gathered in the center’s otherwise empty parking lot, along with a few of those personally impacted by the allegations.

Among them was one woman who said she is the mother of a 3-year-old boy who was allegedly photographed nude multiple times by Groves. The stunned mother said in one photograph Groves is allegedly molesting her son.

The woman explained members of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security came to her home and showed her the photographs as part of their investigation.

“It’s just heartbreaking, because we don’t know how many photos were actually taken and for how long this has been going on,” she said. “We don’t know if other children were molested, or how deep this really goes.”

The mother said her son had developed behavioral issues during his time at the center. She plans to get him the help he needs to address the traumatic experiences he endured.

“I just hope that (Groves) faces the highest possible sentence she could and I hope she will never be able to hurt another child again, and I hope that the truth comes out for this whole school and I hope everybody that is involved is held accountable and everybody who had negligence within this situation is held accountable,” she said.

An affidavit filed in federal court by a special agent with the DHS states the investigation began on Tuesday, when the Nashua Police Department was contacted about an individual who was allegedly showing pornographic images of children to other adults.

The affidavit alleges that Groves texted an unidentified “Person 1” four images — four also being the number of counts against Laughton — of nude children, both boys and girls, who she worked with at the day care center. The details suggest that Laughton is “Person 1” in the federal affidavit but no law enforcement source has confirmed this.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Groves’ home in Hudson on Wednesday. At that time, the affidavit states Groves told police that Person 1, her former intimate partner, had requested she take photos of nude children at the day care for her “sexual gratification.”

“Groves said she used natural bathroom breaks for the children (routine diaper/pull-up changes prior to ‘naptime’) to capture the images,” the affidavit states.

This is not the first time Groves and Laughton have faced criminal charges.

In November 2021, the Patch reported that Groves was accused of filing a false fraud investigation about transactions from her account on July 27, 2020, in Hudson. She was charged with felony attempted theft by deception. The outcome of that case was not immediately available.

The Associated Press reported that Laughton, meanwhile, was the first transgender person elected to the New Hampshire legislature in 2012, but did not take office then due to prior felony convictions.

In 2015, Laughton was charged in connection with a bomb threat called into Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, according to WMUR.

In 2021, the newly elected state representative Laughton was arrested and charged with seven counts of providing false information to 911, WMUR reported. Laughton told the news outlet, “I deny the charges and I plan on fighting them. I am somebody who has been in trouble with the law in the past and I’ve come a long way.” Laughton would be convicted of several of the charges that August.

Laughton was arrested again that following November on stalking charges and for violating a court order that prohibited Laughton from posting on social media about a specific person. This caused Laughton’s fellow Democratic lawmakers to call for her resignation, a call Laughton eventually heeded.

For their latest charges, Laughton and Groves were both arraigned in Hillsboro County Superior Court South, in Nashua, at which point they were held without bail. Laughton is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 23, while Groves is slated to reappear on Aug. 30.

Groves is set to make her initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. Groves faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for the charge of sexual exploitation, and another 20 years for the child pornography offense.

Levy’s office said in a press release about the incident that members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

Boston Herald reporter Flint McColgan contributed to this report. 

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis