Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120
BROCKTON – A third suspect has been arraigned for his role in connection with the September, 2021 murder of a 16 year-old male, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
Today, Malik Cotton, 21, turned himself in to Brockton District Court and was arraigned on one count each of Murder, Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon, and Discharging a Firearm Within 500 feet of a Building, for the death of 16 year-old Liedson Monteiro-Terry. Cotton pleaded not guilty to the charges and was held without bail.
On June 27, Angel Vasquez, 23, and Angel Colon, 22, were arraigned in Brockton District Court on one count each of Murder, Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon, and Discharging a Firearm Within 500 feet of a Building, in the death of Monteiro-Terry. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and were held without bail. All three men are next scheduled to appear in court on August 18.
At approximately 1:05 a.m. on September 4, 2021, Shotspotter detected three gunshots in the vicinity of 40 Sprague Avenue in Brockton. Upon arrival, Brockton Police found a large crowd present and assembled at a party at that address. A male victim was located on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Monteiro-Terry.
Brockton Police contacted Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and an investigation commenced. Investigators interviewed witnesses on scene, reviewed video surveillance and collected physical evidence. As a result of the investigation, Massachusetts State Police sought and obtained arrest warrants for Malik Cotton, 21, Vasquez, and Colon.
Two other people have been charged as a result of the investigation. Alexandria Rodrigues, 21, has been charged with Perjury, and William Houston, 21, has been charged with one count each of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Accessory Before the Fact.
Assistant District Attorneys Jessica Elumba and Elizabeth O’Connell are prosecuting the case, which was investigated Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police.