Bill Lichtenstein v. Somerville, City of (SPR 20240831)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records April 1, 2024 SPR24/0831 David Shapiro, Esq. Deputy City Solicitor City of Somerville 93 Highland Avenue Somerville, MA 02143 Dear Attorney Shapiro: I have received the petition of Bill Lichtenstein, of LCMedia Productions, Inc., appealing the response of the City of Somerville (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 21, 2023, Mr. Liechtenstein requested, “... any records of the case that would be releasable particularly any crime scene photographs or other visual material [relating to] [a] high-profile murder case from the early 1980s involving [an identified individual] who was convicted of the murder of her daughter which took place during the Blizzard of 1978. At the time they lived on [an identified] Street and the body was determined to have been left with trash in front of [an identified] Street and later disposed of and never found.” The City responded on March 7, 2024. Unsatisfied with the response, Mr. Lichtenstein petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/0831, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the City provided a further response to Mr. Lichtenstein on March 21, 2024. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the City’s March 7, 2024 response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Lichtenstein may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s March 21st response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Bill Lichtenstein One Ash burton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us