Kids & Family

Jury Selection in Waltham Murder Case Starts Today

The trial for two Newton co-defendants was postponed last month.

Although two Newton men are still waiting to face trial for the 2010 shooting death of a Waltham man, their co-defendant's trial started today, Sept. 6.

Jury selection for the murder trial of Roxbury resident Daniel Louis starts today, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.

Daniel Louis is accused of killing Adam Coveney, 29, of Waltham in September of 2010 during an alleged drug transaction. 

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Newton residents Benjamin Peirce, 18, and Shaquan Jacobs, 19, are also charged in Coveney's death. Their trial, which was scheduled to start this week, . 

Officials allege that Peirce and Jacobs met up with Louis on Sept. 30 and attempted to rob a  student they knew well. When that failed, they met up with Coveney to purchase drugs and allegedly brought a gun along with masks, gloves and bleach.

Find out what's happening in Newtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Prosecutors allege that Peirce, Jacobs and Louis left in a car driven by Newton resident Wallace Duarte, who was charged with being an accessory after the fact.

Louis is charged with one count of first degree murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm with a silencer, two counts of conspiracy and one count of attempting to commit a crime, according to DA spokesman Jessica Pastore.

For the murder charge, Louis faces life in jail without the possibility of parole, Pastore said. 

While she could not estimate how the trial would last, Pastore said similar cases have run one to two weeks. The trial is being held at the Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. 

Peirce and Jacobs  in connection with the Sept. 30, 2010 shooting death of Coveney.

The two Newton defendants are due back in court later this month, the DA's office said.


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