DA Rachael Rollins Urges SJC to Intervene After Judge Releases an Alleged Murderer

Defendant Charged with Murder While on Pre-Trial Release with GPS for Firearms Charge 

BOSTON, April 7, 2020 — Late yesterday Suffolk County District Attorney petitioned a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to return William Utley to jail pending his murder trial because he poses a “grave risk to public safety.’’

The emergency petition argues that a judge abused her discretion by releasing Utley on his own recognizance, with conditions.  The Commonwealth opposed the motion strongly objecting to the request for reconsideration of bail.  In addition to a history of defaults, three serious and violent open Superior Court cases, including a second degree murder he allegedly committed while on pre-trial release and wearing a GPS monitor, and a clearly proven inability to comply with court imposed conditions, Mr. Utley’s own counsel stated that the defendant could post $11,000 bail.  Nevertheless, the judge released him on personal recognizance, imposing no amount of bail.

“I fully understand the risk that COVID-19 poses to everyone, including people who are incarcerated,’’ said District Attorney Rollins. “Mr. Utley, however, is accused of murdering someone while he was on pre-trial release for firearm charges and while on GPS monitoring. In addition to committing murder, in a separately charged incident he was also arrested for his 5th OUI, again, all while on pre-trial release with a GPS monitor for the aforementioned firearm charges.  The significant danger this defendant poses to the people of Suffolk County far outweighs any claims he is making of a personal health risk.  Mr. Utley absolutely deserves appropriate medical care for his underlying health condition. But, that care must be provided within a correctional facility as he has proven that he is incapable of complying with conditions set to keep our community safe.’’

The filing states that Utley “currently has three pending Superior Court cases, including a murder case in which he stabbed a man multiple times after an argument, a possession of firearm case where he shot multiple shots in a neighborhood, and a fifth offense Operating with Under the Influence where he passed out behind the wheel at a busy intersection with a bottle of liquor between his legs [and several other liquor bottles strewn about his vehicle]. And if that were not enough, the defendant also has [a] long history of defaulting in his criminal cases, having defaulted at least thirteen times. Releasing him on personal recognizance is a threat to the community and doing so without even imposing any amount of bail adds insult to potential injury to the people of Suffolk County.”

“Accordingly, the Commonwealth requests that the order releasing the defendant on personal recognizance be vacated and that the defendant continue being held without bail.’’

Mr. Utley was arrested on Dec. 23, 2016 after firing multiple gunshots from a Colt semi-automatic pistol into the air on Brookledge Street in Dorchester. He was arraigned in January 2018 on multiple firearms charges and posted $8,500 bail. That case is scheduled to go to trial on June 1, 2020.

While out on bail for the firearm charges and with GPS monitoring, Mr. Utley is accused of stabbing Anthony Young multiple times on March 25, 2018 after the two argued in a Grove Hall bar. Arraigned in January 2019 on second-degree murder charges, Mr. Utley was held without bail. That murder trial was scheduled to start on April 6, 2020.  But yesterday, instead of empaneling a jury for the trial seeking justice and accountability for Mr. Young and his mourning family, the Commonwealth was forced to file an emergency motion with the SJC pleading that they take a violent felon off the streets and return him back to custody where he belongs. 

Mr. Utley’s other recent charge occurred on Oct. 6, 2018, again while he was on bail with the gun charges. He was found behind the wheel of a car, passed out at the intersection of American Legion Highway and Hyde Park Avenue, with a half-consumed bottle of Remy Martin cognac on his person and several bottles of Ciroc in his vehicle.

“I will always fight for the safety of all the people of Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Rollins. “It is truly alarming that this person was released and we will fight to have him returned to custody so our community remains safe.’’

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.