Man Convicted of 1978 Somerville Murder Wants New Trial

Over three decades later, a man convicted of a Somerville murder is seeking a new trial, according to the State House News Service.

James Rodwell, who has been behind bars since 1981, claims he did not fatally shoot Louis Rose Jr. in East Somerville back in 1978.

Rodwell’s legal team is using a hearing process in order to gain a new trial. With evidence now over 30 years old, a second conviction by the Middlesex DA’s office would be hard to come by as one of two key witnesses had since passed on.

Rodwell’s push for a new trial is largely linked to an alleged government informant, David Nagle, who claimed Rodwell confessed to him in prison. The jury was not aware that Nagle was an informant when he testified at the trial.

Defense lawyers previously argued Nagle had committed perjury during the trial and that the Commonwealth was unaware of his “working relationship” with investigators.

“We’re going to have a full hearing. This is a case with some important issues,” Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.

Roswell is set to appear in court for an evidentiary hearing on Friday. Evidentiary hearings give defense attorneys subpoena power and the ability to call witnesses, according to attorney Harvey Silvergate.

After evidence is presented at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn, attorneys on both sides will submit briefs and a judge is expected to make a ruling.