J.M. Lawrence

independent journalist. Focused on courts and crime. Truth is rarely pure and never simple. [email protected]

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

@gregorymazman @scooperon7 Don’t blame Steve for the news haiku. The case was 22 offenses against 7 women. (One woman alone was the victim of two aggravated rapes and 5 incidents of indecent A&B all recorded on video.)

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

@orange5691 I reported on the federal charges for Bloomberg. https://t.co/w2KWaul200

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Deal off. Natick couple who was victimized by eBay security execs in a bizarre stalking campaign in 2019 say the settlement agreement is no more.

"Despite substantial efforts by the Parties, the Parties have been unable to effectuate a written agreement consistent with their respective views of the agreed upon terms," the legal team for David and Ina Steiner told a federal court.

Today a federal judge re-opened the case. The scandal led to guilty pleas to conspiracy from 7 employees, including two senior security team execs who went to prison.

On the eve of trial in the victims' civil suit earlier this year, the parties said they had a deal. The Steiners have argued top eBay leadership, including the former CEO and chief of communications, were to blame for underlyings' crimes. The couple was harassed with frightening anonymous deliveries and intimidation tactics designed to silence their newsletter's coverage critical of the company.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

This case was a new level of crazy. Company operatives flew across the country to wage psychological battle on this older couple of newsletter publishers based in suburbia. There was a 2024 documentary on the scheme called, "Whatever It Takes: Inside the eBay Scandal."

Sadly a few female eBay workers got caught up in their macho bosses' madness. One was on her first job out of college and followed orders in what sounded a lot like cult style domination. She avoided prison but spent months under psychologically punishing house arrest and has a felony conviction.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Alvin Campbell Jr., the estranged brother of the MA Attorney General, has been convicted of aggravated rape, kidnapping and sexual assaults on multiple women.
He posed as a rideshare driver and recorded rapes on his phone. Some victims were so intoxicated they appeared unconscious in his videos. Jury deliberated for 5 days.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

The Scots have arrived in Greater Boston for FIFA. The soccer, excuse me, football match is on Saturday night versus Haiti. (by the way, word is the neighborhood loved this despite the early hour.)

[Mike Morrison @MDMorrison82]

In the dead of night the Scots arrived at the Airbnb across the street. Decked out and playing the pipes at 6:30 am. So it begins…

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Another day without a verdict in the Commonwealth’s sexual assault and kidnapping case against Alvin Campbell. Jury has deliberated four days. 22 verdict slips involving crimes against 7 women from 2017-2019.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

No verdict again today in the Commonwealth's predatory sexual assault case against former ride share driver Alvin Campbell. Jury has gone home after two full days of deliberations.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

No verdict today in trial of Alvin Campbell on rape and sexual assault charges involving 7 women. Jurors left today at 4 p.m. They began deliberations yesterday afternoon during third week of trial. Deliberations continue Monday.

Jury has 95 exhibits for review and 22 verdict slips to fill out. Exhibits including multiple graphic videos Campbell took of women whom the Commonwealth argues were too intoxicated to consent; some women appear unconscious, according to testimony. Campbell, 45, is the estranged older brother of the MA Attorney General.

His defense called no witnesses after the court ruled any testimony from a toxicology expert witness for the defense would be closely limited.

The Commonwealth argued the doctor's expertise on alcohol and memory was anecdotal, not the product of scientific study, and would "confuse" the jury.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

In Campbell serial rape trial, case hinges on videos captured by the defendant | WBUR News https://t.co/inaHe2b14K

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Jury expected to begin deliberations later today in rape case against rideshare driver Alvin Campbell. Closing statements set for this morning in Suffolk Superior.

Trial began three weeks ago. Commonwealth rested its case at 3:50 pm Tuesday. Defense rested at 4 pm Tuesday. He is accused of rapes and sex assaults involving 7 women from 2017-2019.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Another reviewer gives high marks to my former Boston Herald colleague Dave Wedge’s upcoming book on the Karen Read saga. His book comes out in July. https://t.co/1KjSl1o5FV

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Update on the trial of rideshare driver Alvin Campbell, who is accused of the worst serial sexual assaults in recent Boston history...Closing arguments are expected later in this coming week. A few more state witnesses and a defense toxicology expert are expected first.

No live broadcast is allowed. 3 Boston tv stations have filed a proposal with the court asking to bring a news pool camera back into the courtroom to record video for later edit. The judge's response if any is not clear from the court docket.

A livestream of opening statements on May 18 was shut down. Broadcasting the identities of the alleged victims is prohibited under a court order.

Campbell, 45, who is the old brother of the Commonwealth's Attorney General, is accused of sex crimes involving 7 women during incidents from 2017-2019, in which the women were too intoxicated to consent. Videos were uncovered on his phone. The defense maintains the sex was consensual.
Alleged assaults on 2 more women were excluded from this trial; in a court filing, prosecutors expressed uncertainty about securing those victims' "voluntary appearance."

The WBZ, NBC10 and WCVB proposal filed in court on May 21 says,
“Parties all understand the court’s concerns about prior pool video coverage…we would propose that the court permit video recording, and we would agree that the limitation that this video will not be live-streamed to the internet, nor would it be broadcast live, with the exception of the verdict being read in open court.”

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Matt Farwell’s motion for release while awaiting trial on federal murder charges has been denied by Magistrate Judge Kelley. Prosecutors said he might flee, or obstruct justice. Trial set for October. #SandraBirchmore

[Boston Fire Dept. @BostonFire]

On Memorial Day , we honor and remember the ultimate sacrifices that our brave men and women and their families have made to our country.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Boston’s Run To Remember today honors all fallen first responders, military and law enforcement. More poignant than ever after the death of Boston firefighter Robert T. Kilduff Jr., 53, yesterday. He fell from the third floor of a burning home in Dorchester during 3-alarm. He was third generation firefighter, U.S. Marine, a father and a hero.

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

Boston’s Run to Remember is underway. #run #firstresponders

[J.M. Lawrence @BostonReportah]

@BostonBrandi100 @MassStatePolice This can’t be real.