Thomas A. Pizarro, a 33-year-old Methuen resident, faced arraignment proceedings in Lawrence District Court today on murder charges related to the death of Steven Hernandez, also aged 33. Hernandez met his end on a Lawrence street last week, the victim of a shooting. Pizarro, following his apprehension in Boston by the Massachusetts State Police's Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, has entered a plea of not guilty.
As reported on EssexCountyDA.com, the murder charge stems from an incident on September 14, where Lawrence Police responded to a shooting at about 7 a.m. on the 300 block of Water Street. It was there they discovered Hernandez, suffering with gunshot wounds, a fight for his life that would end in the halls of Lawrence General Hospital.
Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker has since expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the Lawrence Police and the state police in apprehending the suspect. With the legal gears now turning, the courtroom drama is bound to further unfold with Pizarro's counsel, attorney Patrick Hakes demanding his client's innocence, while Mary Eileen Spano represents the Commonwealth.
Amidst these legal proceedings, it's pivotal to echo the legal tradition that weaves through the fabric of the court: all suspects and defendants carry the presumption of innocence, a cloak that remains unshed until the weight of the guilty verdict is shouldered upon them. Pizarro, currently held without bail, awaits his next appearance in court scheduled for October 11.
