Talbot murder probe extends to grand jury

REVERE – A Suffolk grand jury could seek indictments as early as today in the murder of Officer Daniel Talbot even as city officials plan for services in his memory today and tomorrow.”Grand juries are by their very nature confidential,” said Suffolk District Attorney’s spokesman Jake Wark. But respected Boston defense attorney Elliot Weinstein said, “in any shooting death, the DA will proceed with a grand jury investigation in order to prosecute individuals who they believe to be perpetrators via indictment in Superior Court.”The grand jury review is an extension of a six-day investigation so far by state and local police into Talbot’s shooting death early last Saturday in a field next to Revere High School.A Revere police sergeant said a State Police helicopter that circled neighborhoods in the city late Thursday afternoon was taking aerial photos, but would not say if they were part of the investigation.A fire seven months ago links Derek Lodie, 17, who was charged Tuesday as an accessory in Talbot’s murder, and Robert Iacoviello, who has been questioned by police in the wake of his arrest Monday on firearms charges. Lodie and Iacoviello are linked via a third man, Steven Aversa, who thus far is not a person of interest in Talbot’s murder.Fire Inspector Jay Mazzola said Iacoveillo, 20, and two other youths moved into a public housing residence at 101 Constitution Ave. where on March 18 a fire broke out in second-floor bedroom. Investigators labeled the fire intentional and subsequently charged Aversa with arson of a dwelling.Investigators determined Aversa walked a half-block to Lodie’s Raymond Road residence – located next door to Aversa’s 24 Raymond Road home – immediately after the fire. Lodie also gave investigators a statement in the case. The case and the charge against Aversa were later dropped.Only Lodie has been charged to date in connection with Talbot’s murder, but in addition to searching Iacoviello’s Thurlow Avenue family home on Monday, police also searched the 167 Cooledge St. residence of Jimmy Heang, 17, and questioned him after arresting him for possession of a stun gun.Police also pulled up sewer grates on Charger Street Tuesday, where sources say officers discovered the murder weapon, which had been deliberately smashed up.Wark would not comment the search.”This is still a very active investigation,” he said.