SALEM — In Superior Court in Salem Wednesday, Brian Rivera, 36, of Lynn, was arraigned for the murder of Eric Hines of Lynn, who was 35 at the time of his death, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announced. Prosecutors allege Rivera shot Hines before 11:30 p.m. on the night of Thursday, April 10, in the area of 33 High St., in Lynn. Lynn Police reported responding to a 911 call and finding Hines unresponsive with apparent gunshot wounds; Hines was treated on scene and transported to Salem Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
In addition to murder, Rivera is charged with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, receiving an untraceable firearm, and a firearm violation with a prior violent/drug offense. Rivera pleaded not guilty to all charges in court today. The Hon. Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman ordered Rivera held without bail.
A defendant in a related case, Michael Constabile, 35, of Lynn, was also arraigned in Superior Court Wednesday, charged with acting as an accessory after the fact. Constabile pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered Constabile held on $50,000 bail.
Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Stanbro is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the Commonwealth. Rivera is represented by attorney Murat Erkan, while Constabile is represented by attorney Thomas Burke III. Both defendants are scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on Monday, June 30.
All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
