Trial begins in Connery Rink stabbing

SALEM – Assistant District Attorney James P. Gubitose said murder suspect and former Lynn resident Yeison “Chicollo” Arias decided his own fate during a confrontation at the Connery Rink in Lynn in April 2009.?Yeison Arias made a choice that night and used that knife to stab ?Tito? (Carmelo Sandoval) in the heart and that?s what he did. He chose to kill ?Tito? that night and that is murder,” Gubitose told a jury comprised of five women and 10 men in his opening statement Tuesday afternoon in Salem Superior Court.Arias, now 21, formerly of 196 Hamilton Ave., Lynn, went on trial this week for murder in the fatal stabbing of Sandoval during a rumble at the Connery Rink, located at 190 Shepard St.Sandoval, 18, of 57 Kirtland St., Lynn, the father of a young daughter at the time, was stabbed once in the heart shortly before 10 p.m.Police received several 911 calls regarding the stabbing and while responding they learned that a woman was en route to the hospital with Sandoval. She was kept on the phone by the 911 dispatcher until an ambulance met up with her on Franklin Street. Medical technicians found Sandoval slumped over in the back seat with a single stab wound to the chest.Medical personnel tried to revive him, but Sandoval was pronounced dead at North Shore Medical Hospital in Salem.Initially Bernardo Urena, 20, of Lynn, was charged with Sandoval?s murder but as their investigation expanded, authorities learned that it was Arias and charged him. Urena is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and accessory after the fact of murder in connection with the case. He is not being tried at this time and remains free until his case is resolved.Gubitose said during his opening statement that he intends to call witnesses who told police that Arias “bragged” about the stabbing and how he used his knife, took it out and stabbed the victim in the chest.?The defendant (Arias) thought something heavy was going to happen, that?s why he armed himself” before going to the rink, Gubitose told the jury.Numerous members of Sandoval?s family looked on and wept during the opening statement, some leaving the courtroom in tears.The prosecutor also said he will introduce a video in which Arias is seen at the skating rink. He later is seen taking the knife into the bathroom, then goes back, gets it and washes it.Arias led authorities to where he discarded the knife, where it was retrieved.But defense lawyer Joseph A. Boncore told jurors Arias acted in self-defense.?My client went there that night to skate. Their purpose that night was to settle a beef and do whatever was necessary. They chose to escalate and bring this to a physical altercation. When you search for a motive, you will find no other than self-defense,” Boncore told jurors.Jurors are scheduled to be taken to Lynn by bus this morning to view the murder site and then will return to Salem Superior Court, where the prosecution?s first witness will be called to take the stand.