Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
State senators want answers on trooper training death
The push comes five months after a state trooper died following a trainee exercise.
Previously:
Three Worcester state senators are pressing Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell for an update on the investigation into State Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia’s death last year, citing unresolved critical questions.
The push came last week when state senators Michael Moore, Robyn Kennedy, and Peter Durant sent a letter to the attorney general asking for a “status update” on the investigation.
In response to the letter, Attorney Campbell’s office said it does not comment on open investigations.
Sen. Moore said that during a meeting on Friday, scheduled in response to the letter, the Attorney General’s office committed to providing periodic updates on the investigation to the Worcester Senate delegation.
Advertisement:
“While I and my colleagues appreciate that thorough investigations take time, it is important for Enrique’s family and the residents of the Commonwealth to receive regular updates on the investigation,” Moore said in a statement shared with Boston.com. “I am hopeful that the investigation team will understand the unique circumstances surrounding this case and provide some clarity to the family of Trooper Delgado-Garcia and his community.”
Delgado-Garcia was weeks away from graduation when he died after reportedly being injured during a training exercise in a boxing ring at the Massachusetts State Police Academy last September.
Advertisement:
A Worcester native, according to a press release from Sen. Moore’s office, Delgado-Garcia received his trooper badge, and the State Police oath of office was administered in his UMass Memorial Medical Center hospital room in the final hours of his life on Sept. 13.
An independent investigation was announced about a week later and is being led by the attorney David Meier.
Specific details on the circumstances of Delgado Garcia’s death remain unclear. However, previous news reports say Delgado-Garcia was missing teeth and had suffered a broken neck and brain injury.
Sen. Moore’s office says that even though an autopsy report was allegedly completed, it remains unclear what injuries Delgado-Garcia sustained.
Now, five months later, questions on how Delgado-Garcia died, along with allegations of hazing and harassment, remain.
“Trooper Delgado-Garcia’s family has patiently waited for answers to some of the hardest questions they will ever have to ask,” the senators wrote in the letter. “Any information that you may be able to share related to the status of the investigation, the estimated duration of the investigation, and any preliminary factual findings would be deeply appreciated.”
Delgado-Garcia graduated from Worcester’s North High School in 2017, becoming a victim-witness advocate for Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office before joining the Massachusetts State Police.
Advertisement:
Due to his connection to the District Attorney Early’s office, the DA declined to handle the investigation, citing the potential conflict of interest.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com