Hayden Announces Grand Jury Investigation Into Case Involving Off-Duty MBTA Police Officer

BOSTON, August 10, 2022 —Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden today announced that his office will open a grand jury investigation into a case involving an altercation between a motorist and an off-duty MBTA police officer that occurred in April 2021.

Any actions taken by the grand jury will be announced once the process is completed.

“Our office inherited this investigation, along with many others, from the prior administration.  We inherited it as an open and active investigation begun in April 2021, and it has always remained open and active. Our announcement today comes amid questions about this investigation and the path it took toward a determination to seek charges.  It is important to note that there was never any action taken to close this investigation.  The ultimate decision to pursue charges in any investigation rests with me, and me alone.  There have been reports of discussions regarding this investigation between members of my office and people outside my office.  Those reports may have led to the perception that this investigation was not moving forward.  Nothing could be further from the truth. This case has remained open and active because I never had any intention of closing it, or made any decision to close it,” Hayden said.

“I would not jeopardize my integrity, or the integrity of this office, by agreeing in any way to end an investigation because of campaign donations, as has been suggested.  Nor would I jeopardize my integrity, or the office’s integrity, by not pursuing charges because the suspect is a police officer. A person’s job or title does not influence my decisions when it comes to prosecutions.  I understand that today’s announcement will be perceived as a reaction to media reports.  I cannot control perceptions.  But I can assure everyone that this action would be happening on the same timeline regardless of what attention this investigation did or didn’t attract,” Hayden said

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications