SALEM — John Michelin, of Lynn, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the killing of Bret Reilly, also of Lynn, at Salem Superior Court after a four-day trial. Jurors were sent into deliberation Tuesday morning before coming to a decision Wednesday afternoon.
On April 8, 2017, Bret Reilly was found by police at the bottom of a set of stairs leading to a basement at 8 Chase St. Reilly had his pants pulled down to his ankles, and a bloodied shirt on his head. He was taken to the hospital, but later died from his injuries.
Michelin and another Lynner, Darrin Stephens, were arrested on assault charges that were upgraded after Reilly’s death. Michelin and Stephens were accused of beating Reilly unconscious with an electric guitar and baseball bat before sodomizing him with a broomstick. The injury from the penetration of the broomstick was determined as the cause of Reilly’s death.
The sentencing hearing for Michelin is set to take place April 24.
