News: Search for Evidence in Medford Shooting
(Long Island, N.Y.) The Suffolk County Police Department aided officials in the investigation for evidence to implicate the Medford shooter. Homicide Squad Detectives canvassed the area of the gunman’s home where a thorough raid was conducted less than a week ago. Crime scene technicians also helped to examine the suburban backdrop, searching for clues with gloves and shovels.
Experts on the case opened storm drains near the alleged shooter’s residence in order to determine whether the stolen drugs had been disregarded through the sewer. Police and authorities had reason to believe that the Medford gunman used the drains as a makeshift depository for up to ten-thousand pills of hydrocodone. The location of the extensive search was at Pitchpine Place in Medford, just a short distance away from the pharmacy where four were gunned down.
Police and authorities did all that they could to place their suspect at the scene of the June 19th robbery and quadruple homicide. They hope to find solid evidence to supplement the fingerprints collected from the pharmacy’s counter. Fingerprint evidence could be potentially argued as circumstantial during the trial phase of court proceedings based on the suspected shooter’s frequent visits to the pharmacy.
Investigators and detectives on the case are looking to find containers and packaging materials in addition to searching for the large quantity of stolen prescription painkillers. The suspect is currently in protective custody inside a Riverhead jail cell. His lawyer has reason to believe he could be harmed by fellow inmates.
The charges against the suspect have been sealed in a Riverhead court but are expected to be unsealed in coming days. Reports have stated that the suspect faces robbery and a gun possession weapons charge in addition to four counts of first-degree murder. Some sources claimed that more information won’t be revealed until Friday.
The suspect’s wife has been charged with felony robbery and is being represented by a legal aid attorney. Following her arrest, she informed officials of her decision to wave the right to be formally charged by the deadline. In doing so, she declined protection under a law that states a defendant must be indicted within five days of an arrest before being freed without the obligation of bail.
Reports have claimed that there is reason to believe that the twenty-nine-year-old assisted her thirty-three-year-old husband in planning the crime. Family members and loved ones of the four victims have expressed their desire to see the case taken over by federal prosecutors. While such a move is unlikely to occur, a federal case could ensure that the suspects face the death penalty for their actions.
Some sources have stated that the suspect had been beaten by police during his arrest, and that the bruises on his face were the result of frustrations in not getting the desired confession. Authorities have claimed that the suspect grabbed an officer’s weapon and sustained the injuries in the process. He had to be hospitalized for two black eyes and a bloody face.
