A Lynn man was convicted of first-degree murder Friday for the March 2017 shooting death of Mohammedreza “Sina” Zangiband, 24, of Salem, during a crime spree across the North Shore, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announced.
Brian Brito, 27, 0f Lynn, was charged with murder; aggravated rape; aggravated kidnapping; armed robbery while masked and while carrying a firearm; assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury; armed assault with intent to murder; and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition for a series of crimes occurring from Lynn to North Andover and Lawrence.
A jury sitting in Salem Superior Court found him guilty of all 12 counts. Sentencing was scheduled for July 20.
“The brutality of these crimes has changed many lives forever but justice was served through a tremendous group effort by our trial team, victim witness staff and investigators with units across the community,” Tucker said. “This was a difficult case for many reasons but this defendant will now face the consequences of his actions.”
Judge Jeffrey Karp presided over the trial.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jessica Strasnick, Maria Markos and Marina Moriarity, with support from Victim Witness Advocate Maria Arroyo-Long; Sgt. Thomas Sullivan of the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit; Capt. Chris Kelly of the Lynn Police Department; former Lawrence Police Officer Kevin Schiavone; Trooper Matthew Zahoruiko of the Massachusetts State Police; and North Andover Police Det. Dan Cronin.
Brito was represented by attorney John Cunha Jr. of Boston.
Jury empanelment began May 15.
