Prosecutors are trying to demonstrate that Boston attorney Gary Zerola has a sample of preying on younger girls.Zerola was named a single of America’s Top rated 50 Bachelors by Men and women Journal back again in 2001, together with fellow Massachusetts natives Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.But considering the fact that then, Zerola has been accused of rape by quite a few females. The 50-calendar year-previous, who is currently less than house arrest, was permitted to attend a listening to in Suffolk Remarkable Courtroom on Monday.In the course of that courtroom hearing, prosecutors mentioned that Zerola met younger ladies via mutual buddies and then bought them so drunk that they passed out — which gave him an prospect to power himself on them.”Is there a frequent plan? Is there a common M.O.? I might recommend it is indeed,” said Suffolk County Assistant District Legal professional Ian Polumbaum. “We’d recommend there’s a sure total of engineering that and taking edge of that.”Zerola has been acquitted of rape expenses 2 times before and a number of other scenarios versus him have been dropped.But now, prosecutors are seeking to combine the two most current rape cases against Zerola — one particular from 2017 and an additional from previously this year — into one particular.”In these cases, the prosecution is declaring that the recurring carry out of the defendant in other conditions is so similar, so a lot of a match to the perform in one case, that they ought to be introduced equally,” said WCVB legal analyst Greg Henning.Henning said the transfer is a scarce and risky just one for prosecutors due to the fact it can in some cases interfere with a defendant’s correct to a truthful demo and direct to grounds for an appeal.”There is no connection among the 2017 indictment and the 2021 indictment,” Zerola’s defense legal professional, Joseph Krowski, reported all through Monday’s listening to.Suffolk County Remarkable Courtroom Choose Christine Roach mentioned the instances of the two conditions from Zerola do appear equivalent, but she appeared bothered by the point they are four years apart.”I imagine your strongest argument, Mr. Krowski, is the simple fact that these two situations are so unique in time,” Roach reported.Roach stated she will come to a decision on no matter if to permit prosecutors blend the instances towards Zerola within just times.
Prosecutors are making an attempt to exhibit that Boston legal professional Gary Zerola has a sample of preying on young women of all ages.
Zerola was named a person of America’s Best 50 Bachelors by People today Magazine again in 2001, alongside fellow Massachusetts natives Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
But considering the fact that then, Zerola has been accused of rape by a number of females. The 50-year-old, who is at this time less than house arrest, was authorized to show up at a listening to in Suffolk Superior Courtroom on Monday.
For the duration of that courtroom listening to, prosecutors claimed that Zerola satisfied youthful women by means of mutual good friends and then acquired them so drunk that they handed out — which gave him an opportunity to power himself on them.
“Is there a frequent plan? Is there a typical M.O.? I might recommend it is really of course,” claimed Suffolk County Assistant District Legal professional Ian Polumbaum. “We would counsel you can find a specified total of engineering that and using benefit of that.”
Zerola has been acquitted of rape costs 2 times in advance of and a number of other circumstances towards him have been dropped.
But now, prosecutors are seeking to incorporate the two most current rape conditions versus Zerola — a person from 2017 and yet another from earlier this 12 months — into one.
[image id=’ab32a443-cf5b-41a8-9366-dba32483afce’ mediaId=’465dcf75-98fb-44f4-9437-5e92f3ea29cf’ align=’center’ size=”medium” share=”true” caption=’Gary Zerola, 50, during a hearing at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Massachusetts, on Dec. 13, 2021.’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]
“In these scenarios, the prosecution is declaring that the recurring carry out of the defendant in other conditions is so identical, so substantially of a match to the carry out in a single case, that they must be presented similarly,” reported WCVB authorized analyst Greg Henning.
Henning explained the move is a unusual and dangerous one for prosecutors for the reason that it can sometimes interfere with a defendant’s correct to a honest trial and lead to grounds for an appeal.
“There is no link concerning the 2017 indictment and the 2021 indictment,” Zerola’s defense lawyer, Joseph Krowski, reported all through Monday’s hearing.
Suffolk County Excellent Courtroom Choose Christine Roach claimed the instances of the two scenarios from Zerola do seem identical, but she appeared bothered by the actuality they are four several years apart.
“I think your strongest argument, Mr. Krowski, is the truth that these two cases are so distinctive in time,” Roach explained.
Roach explained she will determine on whether to permit prosecutors merge the conditions against Zerola inside of days.