Community Corner

Malden Man to Appear in Woburn Court on Murder Charge

Find out when the Stoneham murder suspects will appear in a Woburn court for their probably cause hearings.

By Mark Ouellette

A pair of Massachusetts men accused of shooting two people—murdering one—in Stoneham in early July had their Monday court appearance continued until mid-September, according to a spokeswoman for Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office.

Jessie Williams, 24, of Medford, and Eugene Tate, 19, of Malden, are expected to appear in Woburn District Court on Sept. 18 for a probable cause hearing, according to Stephanie Chief Guyotte, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's office.

Both men were arraigned on July 8 in the Woburn court on charges of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, and illegal possession of a firearm. Woburn District Court Judge Timothy Gailey ordered the defendants held without bail, according to the statement.

According to authorities, at approximately 12:19 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 police responded to 6 Micah’s Pond Way in Stoneham for a report of gunshots, according to the statement.

When officers arrived they found two males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, reads the statement. One of those men, identified as Joseph Puopolo, 27, of Stoneham, was found suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest and wrist, according to the statement. He was transported to Lahey Clinic where he was pronounced deceased, reads the statement. 

The second victim, a 28-year-old man, sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where he is in stable condition, according the statement. 

Find out what's happening in Maldenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Monday, Guyotte said, "We do not release the names of living victims." Guyotte declined to comment as to whether the surviving shooting victim will face any charges in the future.

Stoneham police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s office launched an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the incident, reads the statement.

Find out what's happening in Maldenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The investigation revealed that the 28-year-old victim allegedly arranged to sell drugs to the two defendants through known associates, according to the statement. It is alleged that prior to the arrival of the two defendants, the 28-year-old victim asked Puopolo to come to the home because he was concerned the proposed deal may be a drug rip-off, reads the statement. Williams and Tate allegedly entered the home shortly after midnight to complete a drug deal, according to the statement. When they entered the home, the two defendants allegedly drew handguns, demanded drugs and money, and then shot Puopolo and the 28-year-old victim, the statement adds.

Based on the investigation, including witness statements and physical evidence, two arrest warrants were issued on Sunday, July 7 for Williams and Tate, reads the statement. Williams was arrested in East Boston by Massachusetts State Police, Stoneham police and Medford police, according to the statement. Tate turned himself in to Stoneham police, adds the statement.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here