Revere man charged in Winthrop man’s death

REVERE – One of two Revere brothers who allegedly beat a Winthrop man to death last August has been indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury.Matthew Riley, 18, of 20 Waite St., was arraigned last week for manslaughter in the death of Robert Mackey, 49, of Winthrop.Riley and his brother, Michael Riley Jr., 19, allegedly kicked and used golf clubs to assault Mackey outside a convenience store on Aug. 12, 2007.Mackey died one week later.The grand jury didn’t find enough evidence to indict Michael Riley, according to Suffolk County District Attorney spokesperson Jake Work.”The case against Matthew Riley’s brother (Michael) was terminated when the grand jury investigation did not generate sufficient evidence to warrant further prosecution,” Work said.Authorities said Mackey was sitting in a car waiting for his friend, William McLean, 54, of Winthrop, outside a White Hen on Revere Street in Winthrop around 2:30 a.m. when the attack began.After words were exchanged, Matthew Riley allegedly struck McLean with a golf club. Mackey then exited the vehicle and got into a confrontation with Michael Riley.A brawl ensued and Matthew Riley repeatedly hit Mackey in the lower left back with the golf club, causing severe blunt trauma to his left posterior rib cage, prosecutors said.Mackey was transported to a local hospital but left without receiving medical treatment.He returned to the hospital seven days later in pain, unaware he had suffered a lacerated spleen. He underwent surgery but died a short time later.”We are committed to speaking for Mr. Mackey, and we intend to do so forcefully in court,” Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley said in a statement. “There can be no comfort for the loss his loved ones suffered, but we hope our efforts to hold this defendant accountable bring them some small sense of satisfaction.”The two brothers were initially charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of marijuana. A seven-month grand jury probe began after Mackey – who had a wife, daughter and stepson – died.Suffolk Superior Court Magistrate Gary D. Wilson ordered Matthew Riley held last week on $5,000 bail. If released, Riley must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, cannot enter the town of Winthrop and cannot have any contact with witnesses in the case or the Mackey’s family.Mackey was married to Kimberly C. (Slick) Mackey with whom he had a daughter, Alexandra and a stepson, Michael Slick. The Winthrop native and long shore man was one of three children.Attorney Thomas Brant is representing Riley, who is due back in court sometime in May.