Another twist in Lynn’s missing boy case

LYNN – The latest twist in the search for a missing 5-year-old came in the form of a question Tuesday: Was a neighbor of Ernesto Gonzalez threatened or offered rewards in return for his cooperation in the case against Gonzalez?Gonzalez’ attorney posed the question in a motion filed Tuesday in Salem Superior Court.The answer may not come until April 1 when prosecutors are required by the court to respond to attorney Lawrence McGuire’s motions.To date, Jason Fallis, the neighbor named in the motion, is only linked to the Gonzalez investigation by statements he made to police after Gonzalez’ son disappeared on Aug 17.Fallis said he saw Gonzalez playing ball outside with his son, Giovanni. Fallis said the 5-year-old kicked the ball down the street and Gonzalez cursed at him in Spanish.”He seemed like a real jerk,” Fallis told police, adding Gonzalez “always seemed mean to him whenever he (Fallis) saw him outside with his son.”Gonzalez, 36, pleaded innocent last December to the kidnapping charge and a charge of misleading police investigating his son’s disappearance. In a confession published on Nov. 27, he said he killed the boy after losing his temper and claimed he dismembered his son and dumped the body parts in three Dumpsters located across Lynn.Police and prosecutors have not discredited or affirmed the confession. A female neighbor of Gonzalez’ said she saw police search his apartment on Nov. 28. A District Court judge ordered documents related to the search sealed through June at prosecutors’ request.Motions like the one McGuire filed Tuesday are part of a investigatory process defense attorneys engage in as they prepare to defend their client against charges like the ones Gonzalez faces.McGuire, wants prosecutors to reveal “all promises, rewards and inducements, coercive and otherwise, made to Jayson Fallis (sometimes known as Jason Fallis) by any Essex Superior Court and Salem District Court probation officers.”The motion also asks for information on “all promises, rewards and inducements which may be made to any co-defendant who becomes a government witness.”Attempts to reach Fallis Tuesday were unsuccessful. District Attorney’s spokesman Steve O’Connell said prosecutors will “confine any comment on the case to the courtroom.” Gonzalez’ next court appearance is scheduled for April 1.Giovanni Gonzalez’ mother, Daisy Colon, on Monday said she does not believe Ernesto Gonzalez’ confession and thinks he kidnapped the boy and is keeping him hidden with the help of an accomplice.”I think he wanted Giovanni for himself,” she said Monday.McGuire has already filed motions challenging August searches of Gonzalez’ apartment and the initial charge of child endangerment brought against him. That charge was dismissed when the December charges were filed.McGuire also filed a motion Tuesday asking for a chance in court to challenge any effort by prosecutors to obtain tape recordings of telephone calls he has made from the Middleton jail.