New trial bid denied for 2004 Lynn murder

LYNN – A Lynn man?s second request for a new trial in connection with his 2004 murder case was denied by a Supreme Court judge on Tuesday.Leo Womack was convicted of first-degree felony murder for the Feb. 12, 2004 incident where he stabbed and killed a 7-Eleven convenience store clerk in Lynn.He appealed the court?s decision in July 2010 and filed a new motion for trial, which was denied by the trial judge, along with the request to reduce the degree of guilt.?We?re extremely pleased with the judge?s decision and believe it to be the correct one because it spares the family of having to endure the ordeal of another trial,” said Essex County District Attorney spokesman Steve O?Connell.His second motion for a new trial claimed that both his trial and appellate counsel were ineffective.In his decision, Judge Richard E. Welch III said the second motion was denied because none of Womack?s claims establish any, “substantial risk of a miscarriage of justice.”Welch went on to say that Womack?s complaint of “ineffective assistance” of his lawyer “appears equally weak.”Womack filed the second motion for a new trial himself.