Crime
Somerset man’s conviction overturned concerning murder of Fall River’s Dennis Cousineau
A murder conviction concerning the death of a Fall River man has been overturned.
At approximately 11:00 p.m. on October 1, 2017, Fall River Police were on patrol at the intersection of Bedford Street and Albion Street. Officers observed a male, later identified as Dennis Cousineau of Fall River, lying on the ground unresponsive with trauma to his face and head. The victim was transported from the scene by ambulance and was later transferred to Rhode Island Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. Cousineau died days later from his injuries. An autopsy was conducted by the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office, which ruled the death a homicide.
Following a jury trial in the Superior Court in October of 2021, Scott Rodrigues of Somerset was convicted of murder in the second degree in connection with the death of Cousineau.
On appeal, Rodrigues challenged the denial of his motions to suppress statements and certain evidence obtained from him by police on the night of the incident.
The Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday that they agree with Rodrigues that his motions to suppress should have been allowed which vacates the conviction and will lead to him being retried.
Rodrigues argued that statements he made to a Fall River police officer should have been suppressed because he was questioned while he was in custody without being given Miranda warnings. The Court agreed.
Rodrigues also argued that his sneakers, which had blood from the victim on them, should have been suppressed because he did not consent to their seizure. Because the sneakers were fruit of an unwarned custodial interrogation of Rodrigues, the Court ruled that the denial of his motion to suppress their admission in evidence at trial was error.
In the case, Rodrigues’ girlfriend at the time, Mendi Perry of Fall River, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
To read the ruling in its entirety, click here.
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Glen
July 12, 2024 at 9:30 am
You’ll be home soon! Your gonna smack this case! Only the strong survive 💪 See ya soon
Jake Perry
July 12, 2024 at 10:20 am
Are you going to let him babysit your kids Glen?
Richard Head
July 13, 2024 at 10:17 am
🤣💀 you going to let him babysit your kids Glen? Your 2 Funny Jake Perry your a 🐕.<— Jake Perry,being a dog siht on Glen
🤡 <—– Glen R from Fall River
Lisa Cousineau
July 29, 2024 at 11:11 am
I guess according to some people it’s okay to beat up an older man especially when he’s already on the ground! I don’t wish this on anyone but when your cheering on someone to beat a case against an older man that speaks volumes! Your absolutely right
Bruce Alfred Tavares
July 14, 2024 at 8:50 pm
Piece of crap. Poor policework by FRPD. They should have obtained a search warrant for his shoes/clothes. Suspect should have been advised of his Miransa rights and advised/questioned on video. What are they teaching these police recruits during the 6 month academy. I learned this crap at BCC Criminal Justice classes. As usual, no supervision at the Fall River Police Department. Once Chief Racine retired the department went into the toilet. I was Dennis Cousineau’s paper boy on Johnson Street in the early 1980’s He didn’t deserve this! Hopefully this miscreant gets convicted on the re trial.
Bruce Alfred Tavares
July 15, 2024 at 6:53 am
Typo…Miranda Rights