Westwood Man Pleads Not Guilty in Murder-for-Hire Plot

A 74-year-old Westwood man is being held on $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty on Friday that he hired a hitman to kill a former business associate.

The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office said Joseph Eosco, 74, of Willet Pond Drive, Westwood, was involved in a “substantial financial dispute” with the other man.

State Police working with the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office arrested Eosco on Friday morning. One of the state troopers had been working undercover posing as a potential hitman, said the DA’s office.

Police also found a 32-caliber pistol in the man’s car that he was not licensed to possess.

“We take these allegations extremely seriously,” District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said. “The allegations are that there were not one but several conversations between Mr. Eosco and an undercover State Police Detective, including providing information and intelligence on how and when the intended target could be located.”

According to the DA’s office:

“Eosco pled not guilty to one count to solicitation of murder in Dedham District Court. A Stoughton District Court warrant for carrying a firearm without a license is lodged at the house of correction where he is being held on bail. Should he post bail on the solicitation charge, he would be brought to Stoughton District Court for arraignment on that warrant. Additionally, he would subject to GPS monitoring and ordered to be on 24/7 home confinement and ordered to stay away from and have no contact with the intended victim.”

The DA’s office said, “Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally, in arguing for bail, told Dedham District Court Judge Michael Pomarole that Eosco and the undercover officer had agreed on a price of $20,000 for the murder, with a portion to be paid up front.

“Law enforcement sources received information that a party living in Westwood and associated with the Norwood Energy Corp. might be actively soliciting the homicide of an adult male known to him. The investigation began immediately. Morrissey thanked the State Police and other involved law enforcement for their swift and professional action in addressing the alleged threat.”

“What is most important is that the intended target of this alleged plot is safe,” Morrissey said.