Mattapan Murder Suspect Demands Transfer to Boston Jail

Defense says the man charged in Tyler Lawrence's killing cannot access digital evidence at the Middleton jail; a transfer hearing is set for Feb. 26.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The man charged with killing 13-year-old Tyler Lawrence in Mattapan wants to be transferred from the Essex County Correctional Facility in Middleton back to a Boston jail, arguing he cannot properly prepare for his trial due to limited access to digital evidence, including surveillance and body camera footage, while being held at the Middleton facility.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between jail security protocols and a defendant's constitutional right to access evidence and adequately prepare their defense. The outcome of the transfer request could significantly impact the defendant's ability to review critical digital evidence ahead of his upcoming trial.

The details

Csean Skerritt, the man charged with killing Tyler Lawrence, has filed a motion requesting to be transferred from the Essex County Correctional Facility in Middleton back to a Boston jail. Skerritt's defense attorney, G. Makis Antzoulatos, argues that Skerritt cannot view the digital evidence, including surveillance and body camera footage, that the prosecution has turned over while being held at the Middleton facility. The motion states that Skerritt is being held in a restrictive unit that limits his access to the law library and electronic files, and that his attorneys' legal calls with him are capped at 15 minutes with staff present.

  • Skerritt was briefly brought back to the Nashua Street jail on Nov. 12 before being moved again to Middleton.
  • A hearing on the transfer request is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26.
  • Skerritt's trial is slated to begin on April 27, 2026.

The players

Csean Skerritt

The man charged with killing 13-year-old Tyler Lawrence in Mattapan.

G. Makis Antzoulatos

Skerritt's defense attorney who filed the motion requesting a transfer to a Boston jail.

Tyler Lawrence

A 13-year-old Norwood seventh-grader who was shot and killed near the intersection of Fremont and Babson streets in Mattapan.

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What they’re saying

“there is currently no ability for Mr. Skerritt to view any digital discovery in his case”

— G. Makis Antzoulatos, Defense Attorney (The Boston Globe)

“the defendant has not reviewed”

— G. Makis Antzoulatos, Defense Attorney (The Boston Globe)

What’s next

The transfer request is set to be argued Thursday in Suffolk Superior Court, where prosecutors and defense lawyers will square off over access versus security. For now, the case remains on track for a jury trial beginning April 27, 2026, and whatever the judge decides on Skerritt's housing could shape how quickly his team can dig through the stack of digital material the state has already turned over.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing jail security protocols with a defendant's constitutional right to access evidence and adequately prepare their defense. The outcome of the transfer request could have significant implications for Skerritt's ability to review critical digital evidence ahead of his upcoming trial.