1988 Massachusetts Murder Case Shocker Unfolds In Courtroom

Alabama man Marvin McClendon Jr. walks free after being acquitted in the 1988 murder case of 11-year-old Melissa Ann Tremblay in Massachusetts.

At a Glance

Marvin McClendon Jr. found not guilty in second trial for 1988 murder of Melissa Ann Tremblay
DNA evidence under victim’s fingernails was key factor but ultimately inconclusive
McClendon held for 2.5 years before acquittal, can now return to Alabama
Tremblay’s family expresses disappointment, believes McClendon is guilty
Case remains unsolved after 35 years

Verdict Reached in Decades-Old Cold Case

In a stunning turn of events, Marvin McClendon Jr., an Alabama man accused of murdering 11-year-old Melissa Ann Tremblay in 1988, has been found not guilty. The verdict comes after a retrial that captivated the nation and reopened wounds from a case that had gone cold for over three decades.

McClendon, who was arrested in 2022 for the murder that occurred in Lawrence, Massachusetts, faced two trials. The first ended in a mistrial due to a lack of unanimous verdict. The second trial, which concluded recently, saw the jury acquit McClendon after six days of deliberations, initially reporting they were deadlocked.

JUST IN: Jurors have returned a not guilty verdict in Marvin McClendon's retrial. He was charged in connection with the 1988 killing of Melissa Ann Tremblay in Lawrence, Mass. https://t.co/p5Ml5lMfDg pic.twitter.com/joZbP1xZH2

— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) November 5, 2024

The Tragic Case of Melissa Ann Tremblay

Melissa Ann Tremblay was last seen with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend at a social club in Lawrence before her disappearance in September 1988. Her body was later discovered in the Boston and Maine Railway Yard, having been fatally stabbed. The case went unsolved for decades until McClendon’s arrest in 2022.

“My thoughts are with the family of Melissa Ann Tremblay, who have suffered greatly due to the crime that took her life,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker

The prosecution’s case heavily relied on DNA evidence found under Tremblay’s fingernails. They claimed this evidence excluded 99.8% of the male population but could not definitively link McClendon to the crime. The defense argued there was no proof the DNA belonged to McClendon and suggested the stabber was right-handed, unlike McClendon.

Reactions to the Verdict

The verdict has elicited strong reactions from all sides. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker expressed disappointment but acknowledged the jury’s efforts.

“I recognize the work and dedication of the jury during their long deliberations in this case,” said Tucker

Defense attorney Henry Fasoldt stated, “We appreciate the jury’s careful and thoughtful deliberations. We are grateful that Mr. McClendon was acquitted.” Meanwhile, Tremblay’s family remains convinced of McClendon’s guilt. Her cousin, Daneille Root, said, “While he was found not guilty in a court of law, he will ultimately pay for his crime on the final Judgement Day before God.”

Case Details and Lingering Questions

McClendon, who worked in carpentry at the time of the murder and was intermittently employed by the Department of Corrections from 1970 to 2002, had no significant ties to Lawrence. He lived 16 miles away in Chelmsford before moving to Alabama in 2002. The prosecution argued that McClendon knew details of the crime and was familiar with the area, but this wasn’t enough to secure a conviction.

After being held for 2.5 years, McClendon is now free to return to Alabama. However, for Melissa Ann Tremblay’s family and the community of Lawrence, the case remains painfully unresolved. As the search for justice continues, this acquittal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in solving cold cases and the enduring impact of unsolved crimes on victims’ families and communities.