Man Charged in Connection to 2009 Somerville Murder

The Middlesex District Attorney's office has charged two people in connection to the death of 24-year-old Somerville resident Christopher Souza, who was found murdered in 2009.

The district attorney's office says Michael Barnett, 32, of Somerville, was indicted by a Middlesex grand jury on charges of murder, armed robbery and witness intimidation. A date for arraignment has not been set, according to the district attorney's office.

Souza, a lifelong resident of the Mystic River Housing Development, was killed on Nov. 22, 2009, and his mother found him dead in the living room the next morning, according to MyFoxBoston and the district attorney's office.

Authorities believe Barnett wanted to buy drugs, went into Souza's home, stole his Xbox and PlayStation video game systems, then strangled him with the cords from the game consoles, the district attorney's office says.

It says Barnett allegedly sold the PlayStation for $50 to pay for drugs.

Somerville resident Kelly Murray, 32, Barnett's girlfriend, has been charged with lying to police during the investigation and witness intimidation, according to the Middlesex district attorney's office.