Fairhaven Man Indicted for Murder in Mattapoisett

BROCKTON (WBSM) — The Fairhaven man accused in a fatal Mattapoisett shooting this past summer has now been indicted for murder.

Plymouth County Grand Jury Issues Murder Indictment

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced that Nicholas Botella, 33, was indicted by a Plymouth County grand jury on one count of murder, two counts of carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and one count each of carrying a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.

Botella is scheduled to be arraigned at a later date in Brockton Superior Court on the charges.

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The charges date back to June 30, when at about 3 p.m., Massachusetts State Police received reports of a shooting at a residence on Harbor Road in Mattapoisett. Mattapoisett Police arrived on the scene to find James Rizza, 57, severely injured in the driveway with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at about 3:40 p.m.

Mattapoisett Police Pursuit Ends in Marion Arrest

A witness who had called 911 reported a man with a red motor vehicle was involved in the incident. Officers saw a vehicle matching the description at a nearby intersection and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver took off and led police on a chase. He was finally stopped in Marion when he was boxed in by Mattapoisett Police cruisers. The driver, identified as Botella, was placed under arrest.

History of Neighbor Dispute Revealed

According to the D.A.’s Office, investigators learned that a year before the incident, Botella had lived next door to Rizza and had been aggressive toward him during a dispute.

Botella previously pleaded not guilty to the charges in Wareham District Court and had been ordered held without bail.