Entwistle Murders

WOBURN (WBZ) ― Neil Entwistle will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Jurors in the sensational murder trial found Entwistle guilty of killing his wife and baby daughter in their Hopkinton home.

The panel of six men and six women deliberated for a day and a half before reaching their verdict, guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. They believed the prosecution's case: that Neil Entwistle shot his 9-month-old daughter Lillian in the torso, then shot his wife Rachel in the head, while the mother and child lay in bed.

When the jury announced Entwistle was guilty of first-degree murder for the death of his wife, he appeared emotionless. He looked down, closed his eyes and quickly nodded. When they announced the 29-year-old was guilty of first-degree murder for his infant daughter, he bowed his head.

Barring a successful appeal, Entwistle will serve the mandatory sentence for first degree murder, life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning at 10 a.m.

When the jury was dismissed, Entwistle looked back at his parents and then faced the judge again. Court officers led the jury out of the courtroom without talking to the media.

Before Entwistle left the courtroom, he gave his parents one last look and then was escorted out of the room by court officers.

After the verdict, Entwistle's family addressed the media outside the courthouse. Neil's mother, Yvonne, said she always knew Rachel was depressed and that she killed herself and baby Lillian. "We know that our son, Neil, is innocent and we are devastated to learn that evidence points to Rachel murdering our grandchild and then committing suicide. Our son will now go to jail for loving, honoring and protecting his wife's memory."

Neil's father, Clifford, said he knew from the start his son would not be getting a fair trial. "We will continue to fight for our innocent son with the hope that one day justice will prevail and our little granddaughter, Lillian, will rest in peace," he said.

Entwistle's defense attorney, Elliot Weinstein, said this was a very sad case for two families – one in the U.S. and one in the U.K. He and his fellow defense attorney, Stephanie Page, said they did everything they could to give Neil a fair trial, and they are proud of their work. They said they plan to file an appeal.

Shortly after the trial, District Attorney Gerry Leone, the prosecutors, family and friends spoke to the media. Priscilla and Joseph Matterazzo stood next to the podium holding hands. They didn't say much to the press. They thanked everyone for their prayers, their cards and their support.

"We really can't say enough about the prosecutors – the way they prepared and presented the case on behalf of Rachel and Lillian Rose," said a family spokesperson, Joseph Flaherty. "We may never know why this happened, but we do know Rachel and Lillian trusted Neil Entwistle. He will live with this evil deed for the rest of his natural life."

Leone said his prayers and the prayers of the community go out to Joe and Prescilla Matterazzo. He also condemed Neil for his "unspeakable, unforgivable acts."

The bodies of Rachel and Lillian were found two days later after Rachel's family members called police, concerned that they hadn't been able to reach her.

Neil, meanwhile, had flown to his home country of England to be with his parents. Entwistle later told police that he found the bodies on the morning of January 20, 2006 and then flew to England to be with his family - without calling authorities.

"I think Neil Entwistle himself was one of the most critical pieces of evidence," prosecutor Michael Fabbri said. "These cases are built piece by piece, witness by witness, but in the end I think Neil Entwistle was probably the best piece of evidence we had in this case."

While Neil Entwistle's defense team called no witnesses, in closing arguments attorney Elliot Weinstein claimed that this was a case of murder-suicide, committed by Rachel. Weinstein said his client found Rachel and Lillian dead, with a gun on the bed, and did not call police in order to protect his wife's honor.

The two and half week trial gained international attention. It was broadcast live on TruTV and media from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean arrived at the Woburn courthouse each day. 

Jurors deliberated just a day and a half before reaching their verdicts. Several refused comment, saying they'd agreed as a group not to discuss their deliberations with the media. Entwistle also was convicted on two weapons charges.

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