AP News, May 1st, 2007
Two men have been charged in the death of a woman visiting the city who was shot when she apparently was caught in crossfire during a shooting at a late-night party.
Manuel Andrade, 33, and Casimiro Barros, 20, both of Boston, were ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty Monday to murder charges in the death of Chiara Levin.
Levin, 22, from New York City, and two friends met Andrade at a bar on March 24 and he invited them to an after-hours party in Dorchester, prosecutors said.
A fight broke out at the party, and Andrade wounded one man, Assistant District Attorney Edmond Zabin said at the arraignment.
As Andrade walked to a car in which Levin and her friends were waiting, Andrade and Barros exchanged gunfire, prosecutors said. Andrade was wounded in one leg and Levin was shot in the head.
Barros and Andrade were arrested Saturday based on witness accounts, authorities said.
Zabin said authorities think Barros fired the shot that struck Levin, but under Massachusetts law both may be held responsible for her death.
Andrade's lawyer, Rosemary Scapicchio, called the prosecution's case weak. "They have no idea who shot who and if these two people were even involved," she said after the arraignment.
Barros could have been behind bars the night of her death, but was free because of a plea bargain in a 2005 weapons case, according to court records. Had he been convicted, he would have been sentenced to a minimum of three years.
Andrade also faces two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, plus assault and weapons counts. Barros also is charged with armed assault with intent to murder and weapons counts.
