Latest news with #Labonte
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Jury begins deliberations in Biddeford murder trial
Jul. 2—BIDDEFORD — A jury will now decide whether a man is guilty of murder in connection with a Biddeford shooting two years ago. Lorenze Labonte, 27, is charged with murder in the killing Ahmed Sharif on Nov. 24, 2023. Sharif, then 27, was staying with Labonte's sister at their mother's apartment in Biddeford when prosecutors say Labonte, wearing gloves and a mask, shot Sharif and then fled to New Bedford, Massachusetts for the evening. Labonte's attorneys called no witnesses. Labonte declined to testify and chose not to let the jury consider a manslaughter charge, which could have entailed a lesser sentence. If convicted by the jury, Labonte faces 25 years to life in prison. A prosecutor suggested Wednesday that Labonte believed Sharif had given a friend's sister drugs, leading to her overdosing, and that Labonte was upset Sharif was spending time with Labonte's 18-year-old sister, Ariana Tito. "He took Ahmed Sharif's life — for what?" Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Ackerman said in closing arguments. "For street cred for his best friend? To show his sister that what he said means business? To protect her from this man ... who he claims somehow hurt his best friend's sister? He doesn't get to decide who lives and dies. He doesn't get to decide who is worthy of this life, because he cannot control the people in his life." Labonte's attorney Verne Paradie reminded the jury his client can only be found guilty if it's "almost certainly true" from the evidence that Labonte shot Sharif. But that evidence is purely circumstantial, Paradie said. The prosecution's videos and testimony only place Labonte at the scene, and the jury never heard anyone testify that they saw Labonte shoot Sharif. "It's not that he 'possibly' did it, or 'perhaps' he did it. ... It's not even 'probably' he did it," Paradie said. "That's not enough." In closing arguments, Ackerman shared Snapchat messages with the jury that she said showed Labonte and Tito were fighting about Sharif an hour before the shooting. Using his then-fiancée's Snapchat account, Ackerman said Labonte confronted Tito about a picture she uploaded that showed Sharif in her bedroom. "He shouldn't have even been allowed in there," Labonte appeared to write in the message. "I can have who I want in my room," Tito replied. Ackerman also played recorded jail calls in which she said it appears Labonte is referencing Sharif and his belief about the overdose. "He wants to control what his sister is doing. She's not having it," Ackerman argued. "And what does he do? He puts a mask on his face, a hoodie on his body, he puts gloves on his hands, and he arms himself with a .45 caliber firearm." Labonte then called a few friends and asked them to drive him to Biddeford, Ackerman said, citing testimony from two men last week. Ackerman replayed surveillance camera videos from other homes near the Biddeford apartment, which showed a gray Chevy Equinox pull into the apartment's driveway. A man with his face covered gets out of the car and approaches the house. The videos don't clearly identify who the man was, nor do they capture the shooting, but Ackerman said the man approaches the home "like he owns the place" — suggesting this was not a stranger, as one friend testified that Labonte instructed him to tell police. Tito also told police the shooter was a short, unnamed man. Ackerman suggested she was protecting Labonte from detectives. Tito, who is serving an eight-year sentence for shooting Labonte's ex-fiancée, did not testify in her brother's trial. Paradie scrutinized Ackerman's theory and questioned why police didn't fully investigate Tito as a suspect or other potential leads. Paradie said the police zeroed in on Labonte, suffering from "tunnel vision," and that investigators failed to explore all of the forensic evidence, including testing various items for Labonte's DNA. The case's lead detective testified Tuesday such DNA evidence wouldn't be reliable in this case, because Labonte had previously lived at the Biddeford apartment and they would have found his DNA there regardless. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man accused of killing Roswell police officer to appear in court for plea hearing
A plea hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning in the case of a man accused of killing a Roswell police officer. Edward Espinoza is accused of shooting Officer Jeremy Labonte, 24, several times outside Ace Pickleball Club in February. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Labonte responded to a suspicious person call at the Market Boulevard location. Police say that as he approached Espinoza, the officer was shot and killed. Channel 2 Action News will be in the courtroom for the hearing. Get the latest updates on Channel 2 Action News at Noon. RELATED STORIES: Widow of fallen Roswell officer speaks for first time, shares how their love story began Suspect in killing of Roswell police officer in court as judge views bodycam footage Roswell officer shot more than a dozen times, prosecutors say as judge denies suspect's bond Suspect in custody after shooting, killing police officer just 'serving the citizens of Roswell' Roswell police had several interactions with suspect in officer's killing In March, Espinoza sat expressionless in court as investigators showed surveillance footage of the night Labonte was killed. Video shows Espinoza enter the pickleball club and speak with an employee who he asked if there were any Marines there. 'At that time, he followed up by saying, if there's any Marines, there was going to be trouble,' investigator Jerriel Mann said in court. When Espinoza went outside, the employee called 911. That's when they say Labonte showed up and was shot. Espinoza was arrested just minutes after the shooting. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hadley woman charged with OUI following disturbance
HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) – A woman in Hadley was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated despite warnings from law enforcement less than an hour earlier. Holyoke sex offender charged with possession of child pornography The Hadley Police Department said that just before 2:00 a.m. on Monday, officers received a report in North Hadley regarding a disturbance at a residence. A woman involved in the incident was impaired by alcohol and was trying to find a sober ride home, and decided to stay the night at the residence. Hadley officers warned the woman before leaving the residence that if she attempted to drive home while intoxicated, she could be arrested. The officers did not have legal authority to seize the keys or tow the vehicle of the impaired individual, because the disturbance did not take place at her home. Police said that approximately 20 minutes later, the officers received a hang-up 911 call originating from the area where the altercation took place. Upon returning to the residence, they discovered that the car belonging to the intoxicated woman was gone. The woman was observed driving up the street and abruptly pulled into an adjacent driveway when she saw police cruisers approaching her vehicle. Officers observed the driver, identified as 32-year-old Corrina Labonte of Hadley, to have slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and a heavy alcoholic odor. Police say Labonte was uncooperative with police and refused to follow commands, even attempting to walk away from the officers. She was arrested and charged with OUI – Liquor. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Family of fallen Roswell police officer shares their memories of him
The family of fallen Roswell police officer Jeremy Labonte laid him to rest two months ago. They say it's been day-by-day ever since, and little things will trigger memories that add to the pain of missing him. Labonte died in the line of duty on February 7. He responded to a call about a suspicious person at the Ace Pickleball Club on Holcomb Bridge. When he arrived, someone shot and killed him. 'It felt like somebody just broke my heart in half,' his wife, Alyssa Labonte said. She told Channel 2′s Eryn Rogers the two had known each other since the 5th grade growing up in Douglasville. 'By the 7th grade, he asked me to be his girlfriend or whatever that means at that age, and we grew up together and stayed together all his life,' she said. Officer Labonte's wife Alyssa and his little sister, Morgan Labonte, said he died doing what he loved. 'I think he just always had a heart for helping people even when he was younger,' Morgan Labonte said. His wife said he especially loved serving the city of Roswell. 'We grew up in a really small private school, and I think he liked that Roswell was such a community,' Alyssa Labonte said. 'That really drew him in.' They said they miss the little things that made Officer Labonte who he was. 'He loved working out,' Alyssa Labonte said. 'I would always say there's an old soul trapped inside him because even though he was 24 years old, he'd rather be at home with his dog. He collected bourbon, so he'd rather just be with a glass of bourbon on the couch at 8 p.m. And it's those moments his family says they'll always hold dear. 'I feel honored and not lucky enough to be married to such an amazing man,' Alyssa Labonte said. The family said right now they're working with the Roswell Police Department to set up what they hope will become an annual memorial walk in his honor. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Ex-GA sheriff lieutenant pleads guilty to pocketing funds from citation payments GA deputies urge the public to lookout for wanted, possibly armed man Body of man who ran into lake to get away from deputies recovered in Rockdale County [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Community pays respects to fallen Roswell officer as he's laid to rest
Dozens of people lined every awning and corner of Canton Street in downtown Roswell on Wednesday afternoon, and hundreds more packed Roswell United Methodist Church to pay respects to Officer Jeremy Labonte. Channel 2′s Eryn Rogers was among the members of nearly 60 law enforcement agencies - as near as Alpharetta and as far as Hinesville - who joined a funeral processional to carry Labonte to the church. 'The police and fire folks here stand in front of us every day, whether it's raining, sunshining or snowing, so doing the same for them, that's the least we could do,' said Jack Wyche, who's part of the Roswell Rotary. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Dozens of people stood in the rain under awnings and umbrellas to pay their respects and support the officer's family. 'These people are the people who protect us, and we need to protect them‚' said Gene Beckham with Roswell's Rotary Club. 'And when something like this happens, the community is heartbroken.' For some people who lined the processional route, there was a personal connection. Kayley Bynoski, who attends Blessed Trinity, said her dad is in law enforcement for Cherokee County. 'The fear of my father going to work everyday not knowing if he is going to come home, so I can just imagine the heartbreak and pain his family is going through,' Bynoski said. RELATED STORIES: END OF WATCH: Roswell officer killed in the line of duty identified Fallen police officer Jeremy Labonte remembered in Roswell Roswell officer killed in the line of duty had received award for saving man's life Roswell police had several interactions with suspect in officer's killing Channel 2′s Audrey Washington attended Labonte's funeral, where those who knew him said the 24-year-old took pride in protecting his family and his community. 'He was more than an officer, he was a protector,' one speaker said during the funeral. 'His life was tragically cut short in the line of duty, but his life will live on,' his childhood pastor remembered. Labonte joined the Roswell Police Department in 2021. The patrol car he drove over those years now serves as a memorial for people to stop by, lay down flowers and honor his life. 'Rest easy Jeremy. We've got the watch from here.' The City of Roswell set up a memorial fund to help Officer Labonte's family. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
