Salem Man Found Not Guilty of Teen's Murder

A Middlesex Superior Court jury has found Michael Ferreira not guilty in connection with the 1969 death of Tewksbury teen Johnny McCabe.

Despite the testimony of Edward Alan Brown, who admitted to his role in the murder and implicated Ferreira, the Salem, NH man was acquitted.

The jury deliberated roughly five hours before announcing their verdict.

District Attorney Gerry Leone said he was disappointed in the decision of the jury but that he intended to pursue the murder charge against the third man indicted in connection with the crime, Walter Shelley of Tewksbury.

“Although we are disappointed with the verdict, we respect the right of the jury to render this decision today and thank them for their service to the Commonwealth," said Leone, in a prepared statement. "We appreciate the challenges of trying a homicide case 43 years after the killing occurred, however we make decisions on the facts and law, and feel that we have built a strong and solid case against all 3 defendants that withstands our high burdens of proof and persuasion. Accordingly, we will proceed with preparing for the trial of co-defendant Walter Shelley. 

"We will continue to honor the memory of John McCabe by continuing to fight for justice on behalf of him, his family, and the Commonwealth," he said.

McCabe's sister, Debbie McCabe-Atamanchuk, is now a Merrimack resident. She told the Nashua Telegraph she hopes her family will find justice for her murdered brother.

Click here for complete coverage of the Michael Ferreira Murder Trial.