Newton Officers Found Not Criminally Responsible In Conlon Shooting

NEWTON, MA — A year and a half after 28-year-old Michael Conlon was fatally shot by Newton Police inside a building on Lincoln Street, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that her office’s investigation has been closed and the officers involved will not be held criminally responsible.

In her findings, Judge Jeanmarie Carroll stated that “the court does not find that the actions of any of the Newton officers or supervisory responsibilities make them criminally responsible for the tragic death of Conlon or that they are otherwise criminally responsible,” according to a news release from Ryan’s office.

The incident begins on January 5, 2021, when Conlon flashed a knife inside Indulge! candy store on Lincoln Street during a mental health crisis. Conlon lived on second floor above the store and was a regular there.

Two Newton police officers arrived on scene and called for an additional officer and negotiator. A clinician with mental health expertise arrived on scene, but did not enter the building due to safety concerns given that the man was armed with a knife.

Conlon fled upstairs to the third floor, followed by police, according to Ryan. When he refused verbal orders to drop the knife, police tried using a Taser to subdue him. When that didn’t work and Conlon became more confrontational with police by running towards an officer with the knife, Officers Richard Benes and Francis Scaltreto shot him.

According to the report, Conlon was struck multiple times. He was transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

In December, the DA’s office requested that an inquest, or a confidential investigative hearing, be conducted for Conlon. The inquest concluded on January 27 and the court heard testimony from nineteen witnesses and reviewed numerous exhibits.

To view the complete transcript and findings of the inquest proceedings, click here.