Michael McDermott (Mass Murderer)
Mass Shooting at Workplace
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Wakefield, Massachusetts
TIME PERIOD
December 26, 2000
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
On December 26, 2000, a mass shooting occurred at Edgewater Technology in Wakefield, Massachusetts, where employee Michael Morgan McDermott fatally shot seven coworkers using an AK-47 variant, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a .32 caliber pistol. The incident, which remains the deadliest mass shooting in Massachusetts history, took place at 200 Harvard Mill Square, Suite 210. McDermott was apprehended at the scene and later claimed his actions were motivated by a belief that he could earn a soul by killing Nazis, although the prosecution argued the motive was linked to his employer's garnishment of his wages for back taxes. He was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder on April 24, 2002, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole; his appeal for a retrial was denied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on April 13, 2007, due to overwhelming evidence against him.
Michael Morgan McDermott's motive for the shooting is believed to stem from his employer's garnishment of his wages for back taxes owed to the IRS. Some speculate that his claim of being born without a soul and his belief that killing Nazis would earn him one reflect a deeper psychological disturbance. Additionally, there are theories suggesting he may have researched ways to feign mental illness to avoid responsibility for his actions.
The Edgewater Technology Massacre: A Day of Tragedy
The Deadliest Day in Massachusetts
On December 26, 2000, the tranquil town of Wakefield, Massachusetts, was shattered by a horrific event that would forever be etched in the state's history. At the Edgewater Technology office located at 200 Harvard Mill Square, a day meant for post-holiday cheer turned into the deadliest mass shooting in Massachusetts history. Michael Morgan McDermott, an employee at the firm, unleashed a brutal attack, killing seven of his colleagues in cold blood.
The Rampage
Inside the confines of Edgewater Technology, McDermott, armed with an arsenal including an AK-47 variant rifle, a 12-gauge Winchester 1300 shotgun, and a .32-caliber Retolaza pistol, orchestrated a massacre. Over the course of his spree, he fired 37 rounds, executing his victims with shots to the back of their heads. Later, investigators discovered a .460-caliber Weatherby Mark V rifle in McDermott's locker, hinting at the grim potential for even further devastation.
The Perpetrator
Michael Morgan McDermott, originally named Michael McDermod Martinez, was born on September 4, 1958, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He grew up in Marshfield, the second child of teachers Richard and Rosemary Martinez. After graduating from Marshfield High School in 1976, McDermott joined the United States Navy. He served on the USS Narwhal as an electrician's mate, eventually earning an honorable discharge as a petty officer second class.
Following his military service, McDermott worked at the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant until 1988 before moving on to Duracell's research and development sector. In 1992, he married Monica Sheehan, but the union ended in divorce a few years later. By 2000, after leaving Duracell, McDermott found himself at Edgewater Technology, financially burdened and struggling with significant weight gain.
Motive and Mental State
Despite the methodical execution of his crimes, McDermott's motive remained elusive. At trial, he bizarrely claimed he was born without a soul and that divine intervention had tasked him with traveling back in time to kill Nazis. However, prosecutors painted a different picture, suggesting his employer's garnishment of his wages for IRS back taxes as a potential trigger. Adding to the complexity, the prosecution revealed McDermott had researched how to feign mental illness, casting doubt on his claims of insanity.
The Victims
Seven innocent lives were cut short that day:
- Jennifer Bragg Capobianco, 29, worked in marketing.
- Janice Hagerty, 46, served as the office manager.
- Louis A. Javelle, 58, was the director of consulting.
- Rose Manfredi, 48, handled payroll.
- Paul Marceau, 36, was a development technician.
- Cheryl Troy, 50, directed human resources.
- Craig Wood, 29, worked in human resources.
Trial and Verdict
The trial commenced, and after 16 hours of deliberation over three days, the jury found McDermott guilty on April 24, 2002. Convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder, he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. McDermott's subsequent appeal in 2007, which claimed an unfair trial due to a reference to 9/11 and alleged jury misdirection, was denied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The court maintained that the overwhelming evidence ensured a just outcome.
Remembering the Fallen
In memory of those lost, a cherry tree stands outside the Edgewater Technology offices, its branches adorned each December with carnations, a poignant tribute to the victims' enduring legacy.
Michael McDermott Today
As of 2024, McDermott remains incarcerated at the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, a grim reminder of the senseless violence that claimed seven lives.
Cultural Reflection
The tragic events and McDermott's case have been explored in various media, including the 2003 book "Why We Hate" and the psychological series "Most Evil" in 2008, reflecting society's ongoing struggle to comprehend such acts of violence.
Sources
For more information, visit the Wikipedia article detailing the horrific events and their aftermath.
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Mass Shooting at Edgewater Technology
Michael McDermott kills seven coworkers in a mass shooting.
Suspect Arrested
Michael McDermott is arrested by police at the scene.
McDermott Found Guilty
Michael McDermott is convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder.
Sentencing
McDermott is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Appeal Denied
McDermott's appeal for a retrial is denied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
On December 26, 2000, a mass shooting occurred at Edgewater Technology in Wakefield, Massachusetts, where employee Michael Morgan McDermott fatally shot seven coworkers using an AK-47 variant, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a .32 caliber pistol. The incident, which remains the deadliest mass shooting in Massachusetts history, took place at 200 Harvard Mill Square, Suite 210. McDermott was apprehended at the scene and later claimed his actions were motivated by a belief that he could earn a soul by killing Nazis, although the prosecution argued the motive was linked to his employer's garnishment of his wages for back taxes. He was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder on April 24, 2002, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole; his appeal for a retrial was denied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on April 13, 2007, due to overwhelming evidence against him.
Michael Morgan McDermott's motive for the shooting is believed to stem from his employer's garnishment of his wages for back taxes owed to the IRS. Some speculate that his claim of being born without a soul and his belief that killing Nazis would earn him one reflect a deeper psychological disturbance. Additionally, there are theories suggesting he may have researched ways to feign mental illness to avoid responsibility for his actions.
The Edgewater Technology Massacre: A Day of Tragedy
The Deadliest Day in Massachusetts
On December 26, 2000, the tranquil town of Wakefield, Massachusetts, was shattered by a horrific event that would forever be etched in the state's history. At the Edgewater Technology office located at 200 Harvard Mill Square, a day meant for post-holiday cheer turned into the deadliest mass shooting in Massachusetts history. Michael Morgan McDermott, an employee at the firm, unleashed a brutal attack, killing seven of his colleagues in cold blood.
The Rampage
Inside the confines of Edgewater Technology, McDermott, armed with an arsenal including an AK-47 variant rifle, a 12-gauge Winchester 1300 shotgun, and a .32-caliber Retolaza pistol, orchestrated a massacre. Over the course of his spree, he fired 37 rounds, executing his victims with shots to the back of their heads. Later, investigators discovered a .460-caliber Weatherby Mark V rifle in McDermott's locker, hinting at the grim potential for even further devastation.
The Perpetrator
Michael Morgan McDermott, originally named Michael McDermod Martinez, was born on September 4, 1958, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He grew up in Marshfield, the second child of teachers Richard and Rosemary Martinez. After graduating from Marshfield High School in 1976, McDermott joined the United States Navy. He served on the USS Narwhal as an electrician's mate, eventually earning an honorable discharge as a petty officer second class.
Following his military service, McDermott worked at the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant until 1988 before moving on to Duracell's research and development sector. In 1992, he married Monica Sheehan, but the union ended in divorce a few years later. By 2000, after leaving Duracell, McDermott found himself at Edgewater Technology, financially burdened and struggling with significant weight gain.
Motive and Mental State
Despite the methodical execution of his crimes, McDermott's motive remained elusive. At trial, he bizarrely claimed he was born without a soul and that divine intervention had tasked him with traveling back in time to kill Nazis. However, prosecutors painted a different picture, suggesting his employer's garnishment of his wages for IRS back taxes as a potential trigger. Adding to the complexity, the prosecution revealed McDermott had researched how to feign mental illness, casting doubt on his claims of insanity.
The Victims
Seven innocent lives were cut short that day:
- Jennifer Bragg Capobianco, 29, worked in marketing.
- Janice Hagerty, 46, served as the office manager.
- Louis A. Javelle, 58, was the director of consulting.
- Rose Manfredi, 48, handled payroll.
- Paul Marceau, 36, was a development technician.
- Cheryl Troy, 50, directed human resources.
- Craig Wood, 29, worked in human resources.
Trial and Verdict
The trial commenced, and after 16 hours of deliberation over three days, the jury found McDermott guilty on April 24, 2002. Convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder, he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. McDermott's subsequent appeal in 2007, which claimed an unfair trial due to a reference to 9/11 and alleged jury misdirection, was denied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The court maintained that the overwhelming evidence ensured a just outcome.
Remembering the Fallen
In memory of those lost, a cherry tree stands outside the Edgewater Technology offices, its branches adorned each December with carnations, a poignant tribute to the victims' enduring legacy.
Michael McDermott Today
As of 2024, McDermott remains incarcerated at the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, a grim reminder of the senseless violence that claimed seven lives.
Cultural Reflection
The tragic events and McDermott's case have been explored in various media, including the 2003 book "Why We Hate" and the psychological series "Most Evil" in 2008, reflecting society's ongoing struggle to comprehend such acts of violence.
Sources
For more information, visit the Wikipedia article detailing the horrific events and their aftermath.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting at Edgewater Technology
Michael McDermott kills seven coworkers in a mass shooting.
Suspect Arrested
Michael McDermott is arrested by police at the scene.
McDermott Found Guilty
Michael McDermott is convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder.
Sentencing
McDermott is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Appeal Denied
McDermott's appeal for a retrial is denied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.