News

Four charged in relation to death of State Trooper

Photo: Contributed


BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Following the independent investigation into the death of Massachusetts State Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia, who died in September of 2024 as a result of injuries he sustained while training to become a Trooper, four Massachusetts State Police officials are facing charges related to involuntary manslaughter, perjury, and causing serious bodily injury in a training program. 

From the Office of the Attorney General:

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Attorney David Meier today announced that the independent investigation into the death of Massachusetts State Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia has concluded.  

AG Campbell released the following statement:  

“Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia should be alive today, fulfilling his dream of serving as a Massachusetts State Trooper. I first thank his family and the public for their tremendous patience. I am grateful for Attorney David Meier’s diligent and extensive efforts to follow the facts and seek accountability for those responsible for Enrique’s death. 

State police trainees selflessly commit themselves to public service, and those responsible for training them have a duty to protect them from preventable harm. In no way is this investigation, and the charges it has yielded, a condemnation of all law enforcement. We can both honor the men and women who serve and protect our communities, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances, while also ensuring accountability within the system, especially when someone dies.” 

At today’s press conference, Attorney David Meier, who was appointed by AG Campell as an independent investigator and had full autonomy and authority to make charging decisions, announced that a Middlesex County Grand Jury has returned the following indictments against four Massachusetts State Police officials: 

Sergeant Jennifer Penton

  • Involuntary Manslaughter (G. L. c. 265, § 13)
  • Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Participating in a Training Program Involving Physical Exercise (G. L. c. 265, § 40)
  • Perjury (G. L. c. 268, § 1)  

Trooper Edwin Rodriguez

  • Involuntary Manslaughter (G. L. c. 265, § 13)
  • Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Participating in a Training Program Involving Physical Exercise (G. L. c. 265, § 40) 

Trooper David Montanez

  • Involuntary Manslaughter (G. L. c. 265, § 13)
  • Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Participating in a Training Program Involving Physical Exercise (G. L. c. 265, § 40) 

Trooper Casey LaMonte

  • Involuntary Manslaughter (G. L. c. 265, § 13)
  • Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Participating in a Training Program Involving Physical Exercise (G. L. c. 265, § 40) 

Attorney Meier’s remarks as prepared for delivery at today’s press conference may be found here

On September 13, 2024, Trooper Delgado-Garcia died as a result of injuries he sustained while training to become an MSP Trooper. Death investigations are typically handled by local district attorney’s offices, but in this case, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early appropriately determined that his office had a conflict of interest, as Trooper Delgado-Garcia formerly worked in that office as a victim witness advocate. Shortly after Trooper Delgado-Garcia’s death and at the request of DA Early, AG Campbell appointed an independent investigator, Attorney Meier, to review the facts surrounding Trooper Delgado-Garcia’s death.  

These charges are allegations, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Recent Headlines

10 hours ago in Olympics, Sports, Trending

Winter Olympics recap: Shiffrin out of the medals again, Klaebo wins another gold

Make that seven straight races without a medal for Mikaela Shiffrin at the Winter Olympics. The American skiing standout was given the ideal platform to win the new team combined event after partner Breezy Johnson led the opening downhill leg on Tuesday.

17 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show sparks global streaming surge, Apple Music data shows

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance translated into an immediate surge in global listening, with new data from Apple Music showing sharp gains across streaming charts, playlists and music discovery platforms in the hours following the show.

17 hours ago in Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara died from a pulmonary embolism. Cancer was the underlying cause

A Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday lists the pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, as the immediate cause of the actor's Jan. 30 death at age 71. Rectal cancer was the long-term cause.

2 days ago in Sports, Trending

Seahawks ride their ‘Dark Side’ defense to a Super Bowl title, pounding the Patriots 29-13

The "Dark Side" defense carried Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks to a Lombardi Trophy. Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, Byron Murphy and the rest of Mike Macdonald's ferocious unit pummeled Drake Maye, and the Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday to win the franchise's second Super Bowl.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Bad Bunny brings Gaga, Martin and Puerto Rican pride to Super Bowl as Green Day, Puth play pregame

Stars were front-and-center at Super Bowl 60, with Chris Pratt and Jon Bon Jovi introducing the teams, a series of soaring pre-game performances and Bad Bunny's much-anticipated halftime show featuring a tour of Puerto Rican culture and a real-life marriage.