Medford Man Arraigned on 1st Degree Murder Charge

– Allison Goldsberry

Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone announced that Medford resident Wally Jacques Simon was arraigned today on first degree murder charges in connection with a deadly October home invasion in Winchester.

Simon, 30, was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court Monday on charges of first degree murder, home invasion, armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and carrying a firearm without a license.

Simon is accused of breaking into the Winchester home of Christopher and Bryan Barbaro early in the morning on October 24 and shooting both brothers, mortally wounding Christopher Barbaro, 50.

Authorities allege that Simon, who is known to his victims, entered the second floor apartment, stole some money, and fatally shot Christopher Barbaro. Barbaro’s brother was shot after he came downstairs from his third floor apartment after hearing the commotion.

A joint investigation by State Police and the Winchester Police led to Simon’s arrest later that day.

Middlesex Superior Court Judge Hiller Zobel ordered Simon held on $350,000 cash bail.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for January 16, 2008. Assistant District Attorney Nathanial Yeager is assigned to the case.