Suspect In Nashua Double Homicide Avoids Court, Waives Arraignment

NASHUA, NH — Victor Rivera, 47, accused of murdering two people in Nashua Friday, avoided appearing in Hillsborough County Superior Court Monday.

Nearly 30 friends and families of the victims, Patricia Swett and Matthew Champagne filled the courtroom. The victim’s advocate from the attorney general explained the process of arraignment and was there to support them. Rivera’s attorneys took a common step asking the judge to waive his arraignment and agreed to his being held on preventative detention. This prevented Rivera, who had been transported from the Hillsborough House of Correction, from appearing in the courtroom.

Rivera, of Walnut Street in Nashua, faces four counts of second-degree murder, all classified as special felonies, in the shooting deaths of Patricia Swett, 45, of Nashua, and Matthew Champagne, 44, of Manchester.

Two of the charges accuse Rivera of “knowingly causing the deaths of Swett and Champagne by shooting them with a firearm,” and two charge him with “recklessly” causing their deaths by shooting them with a firearm.

Rivera will remain held until his Nov. 30 court date for a dispositional conference.

A small group of people entered the courtroom just before the hearing, sat on the defendant’s side and appeared to be there to support Rivera. There was no interaction between the two groups in court and the apparent supporters of Rivera left quickly once the decision was made to waive appearing.

Many family and friends expressed disappointment when they were informed that Rivera would not appear in the courtroom. As they left the courthouse, several reporters attempted to get comments, but everyone attending the arraignment refused.

Assistant Attorney General Adam Woods, who is prosecuting the case with Assistant Attorney General Rachel Harrington spoke to the media and explained that the defendant has the right to waive arraignment

A small memorial has been placed on Maple Ave in the vicinity of where the victims died of multiple gunshot wounds Friday night.

The victims and the suspect were all known to each other and, according to sources, regularly patronized Slade’s bar, which is just a few yards from where the murder occurred.

Multiple sources said that Rivera was allegedly behind the dumpster waiting for Swett and Champagne to walk to their vehicle. He allegedly walked up to them in the parking lot and shot each victim multiple times in the head.

Surveillance video in the area showed the suspect entered a vehicle and fled the scene.
Tuesday night, a vigil is planned in the area of Nashua City Hall, which is located across the street from Slade’s bar.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news