Man Sentenced to Life for 2013 Murder of Brianna Bigby

Second trial for Rasheem Christian results in guilty findings on all counts

BOSTON, November 4, 2021— A 30-year-old Boston man was sentenced to life in prison today by Suffolk Superior Court Judge Mary K. Ames in connection with the 2013 murder of Brianna Bigby, District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced.

Ms. Bigby, 23, was killed on the afternoon of June 1, 2013, as she sat in a car on Walnut Avenue with her boyfriend, who was wounded in the attack.

Yesterday, at the conclusion of his jury trial, RASHEEM CHRISTIAN, 30, was found guilty of first-degree homicide, armed assault with intent to murder, and three firearms charges.

Mr. Christian was indicted for the murder in 2015. Investigators linked him and ANTHONY HOWARD, 35, to the shootings. Mr. Christian went on trial in November 2019. After six days of deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a verdict and Judge Christine Roach declared a mistrial. Suffolk prosecutors brought the case to trial again last month.

“This case has had a long and tortured history prior to my administration. Two years ago, I sat with Brianna’s mother and saw the look of hopelessness in her eyes as a mistrial was declared. She had sat day after day listening to the awful details of her daughter’s murder, only to learn at the end that the jury was hopelessly deadlocked. I promised her that day that this office would continue to work to hold those responsible for her daughter’s murder accountable. Yesterday after the verdict, I got to sit with Brianna’s mother as she talked about her beautiful daughter Brianna, all while surrounded by her loving family. This verdict and sentence will not bring Brianna back, but my hope is that by securing a guilty verdict we give answers and accountability to this grieving family.  They are each survivors of homicide.  Each of them are dealing with the trauma of this unimaginable loss in their own unique way.  We will continue to support Brianna’s family as they walk their long journey of healing,’’ DA Rollins said. “I want to thank my chief of homicide, Ed Zabin, and the chief of my Appeals Unit, Cailin Campbell, whose dedication made this result possible, along with excellent and diligent police work by Boston Police Department homicide detectives.’’

Mr. Howard was also charged with shooting two other men on Humboldt Avenue in Roxbury about 10 hours before Ms. Bigby’s slaying. A status conference for Mr. Howard is scheduled for November 15. 

Mr. Howard had been held without bail in the murder case for several years until last December, when Appeals Court Justice John Englander ordered his release. He was placed on house arrest. In August, Mr. Howard, while obviously violating his house arrest order, was arrested on federal drug charges. He is currently being held on that federal matter.  We will be moving forward on the Suffolk County charges.

Anite Cetoute is the victim witness advocate in the case.

Mr. Christian was represented by attorney Rosemary Scapicchio.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 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.