Two connected to death of Fall River boy indicted on murder charges

A Bristol County Grand Jury on Friday indicted two defendants connected to the October, 2020 death of a 14-year-old Fall River boy and the abuse of one of his triplet brothers, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

John Almond, 33, and Jacyln Marie Coleman, 26,​ were both indicted on charges of Second Degree Murder and Neglect of a Disabled Person–Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Jaclyn Marie Coleman was also indicted on a charge of Withholding Evidence From an Official Proceeding. This indictment relates to the allegation that Coleman attempted to destroy a cell phone in the presence of police officers.

​At around 7:45 a.m. on October 21st, Fall River Police received a 911 call regarding an unresponsive male at 107 Green Street. When police arrived on scene, they found David Almond to be covered in feces and living in abhorrent conditions.

David Almond, who suffered from an intellectual disability, was rushed to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

During the course of the investigation, police and prosecutors also determined that one of David Almond’s triplet brothers, Michael Almond, was the victim of neglect. On October 21, 2020, he was found in emaciated condition and was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for treatment.

David Almond was 5’10” and approximately 80 pounds at the time he was discovered by authorities. The other brother that was at the residence is about the same build.

During the arraignment, it was stated that preliminary exams revealed that both brothers had fentanyl in their system. Heroin was reportedly found in the apartment.

Coleman is not the mother of the triplets, but had a child that was living at the residence.

The indictments mean the cases will now be heard in Fall River Superior Court. An arraignment date has yet to be scheduled by the court.

Both defendants were previously arraigned in Fall River District Court on charges of caretaker neglect of a disabled person and possession of a Class A drug.

“The facts and circumstances relating to the indictments are extremely disturbing and egregious. I want to thank the prosecutors for their efforts in investigating. We look forward to prosecuting these matters in superior court.,” District Attorney Quinn said.