News Summary
Kevin J. Lino, a 38-year-old inmate serving life for previous murders, has been indicted for two new counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of homeless men Gary Melanson and Douglas Clarke. The charges reveal a violent pattern of behavior towards marginalized individuals. Investigators linked Lino to the murders amidst concerns about violence against the homeless community and the challenges of prosecuting such cases.
Cambridge, Massachusetts – Kevin J. Lino, a 38-year-old inmate already serving time for previous murder convictions, has been indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury on two new counts of first-degree murder. The new charges relate to the deaths of two homeless individuals, Gary A. Melanson and Douglas Leon Clarke, as investigations revealed troubling details of violence against vulnerable members of the community.
The indictment was announced on Tuesday, focusing on Melanson, 54, who was found dead in Lowell in November 2010, and Clarke, 30, who was killed in August 2012 in Cambridge. According to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office, the charges illustrate a violent pattern of behavior exhibited by Lino, particularly against those who are most marginalized.
Initial investigations into the deaths ruled the manner of Melanson’s death as undetermined and Clarke’s as accidental, primarily attributed to substance abuse. However, following renewed scrutiny, state police linked Lino to both cases amid other investigations concerning his criminal behavior.
Melanson’s body was discovered near the Rogers Street Bridge, sprawled over a collapsed tent, showing signs of brutal physical trauma. He had multiple blunt force injuries to his head and torso, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung upon examination. Investigators learned that a confrontation between Melanson and Lino occurred prior to the murder, ignited by Lino’s objections to Melanson’s decision to light fires for warmth, which he believed would draw police attention. Lino allegedly attacked Melanson with a metal baseball bat, leading to fatal injuries.
For Douglas Leon Clarke, the circumstances surrounding his death are just as harrowing. Based near the Harvard Square MBTA stop, Lino was reportedly living in an encampment with Clarke and other homeless individuals. After a confrontation with Clarke, who was using drugs, Lino allegedly chose to “punish” him by administering a lethal dose of heroin. Clarke’s body was discovered on August 2, 2012, along Memorial Drive by the Charles River, where toxicology reports indicated multiple substances in his system. Initially, his death was ruled accidental due to an overdose.
Both cases have raised significant concerns regarding violence towards the homeless population and the methods used to investigate such incidents. The link between Lino and the two murders was established not through forensic evidence but through gathering leads and witness interviews, further underscoring the difficulties in prosecuting violence within transient communities.
Prior to these charges, Lino was already serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for the killing of Normand Varieur in 2012 and is currently undergoing a concurrent 40-year sentence for a separate homicide conviction in Montana from 2015. In Montana, he entered a no contest plea for the deliberate homicide of Gilbert Berry, where gruesome details of his actions were reported, including carving gang symbols into the victim’s body.
The ongoing investigations continue to explore Lino’s violent behavior and its impact on vulnerable homeless individuals in Massachusetts. Law enforcement agencies are actively seeking additional witnesses and evidence regarding Lino’s actions that led to the serious charges he now faces. An arraignment date for these new murder charges has yet to be established.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: Kevin Lino Killings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Boston Herald: Convicted Killer Charged
- Google Search: Violence Against Homeless
- Boston Globe: Kate Merrill Lawsuit
- Google Scholar: Criminal Justice System and Homelessness
- Boston Globe: Donnie Wahlberg Boston Common
- Google News: Boston Homeless Concerns
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BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
