Shibley, Craig v. Massachusetts State Police (SPR 20260600)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records March 6, 2026 SPR26/0600 Allison Mondello Records Access Officer Massachusetts Department of State Police 470 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702 Dear Ms. Mondello: I have received the petition of Craig Shibley appealing the nonresponse of the Department of State Police (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 5, 2026, Mr. Shibley requested the following: [C]opies of records related to the 1951 murder of State Trooper Alje Savela, which remains an unsolved case identified as Case File #0329. The incident occurred 74 years ago, and I am particularly interested in the historical documentation associated with this investigation. I am specifically requesting the following records in the possession of the Massachusetts State Police: 1. All documentary records associated with Massachusetts State Police Case File #0329 concerning the 1951 murder of Trooper Savela, currently stored within the agency’s ACISS system and/or the Worcester State Police Detective Unit (SPDU) evidence room. This includes, but is not limited to, the following categories of records: * Ballistics report and related scene images of all casings inside and outside Trooper Savela’s vehicle; * Witness statements. * All crime scene photographs, both exterior and interior. * Autopsy reports. * Inventory list generated from the crime scene. * Interview transcripts or summaries from Barre Police Department personnel, specifically mentioning [a list of named individuals]. * All other interview records on file, including those pertaining to [a list of named individuals]. One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832 • Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Allison Mondello SPR26/0600 Page 2 March 6, 2026 * Incident summaries. * Fingerprint and handprint reports related to evidence found at the crime scene on Trooper Savela’s vehicle, including reports from the FBI laboratory and the State Police laboratory. * The names of any private forensic labs used by MSP for certain tests to be performed from 2010 - 2025. 2. A comprehensive inventory list of all physical evidence related to Case File #0329, specifically detailing items stored within the Worcester SPDU’s climate- controlled facility, including but not limited to, a note left by Trooper Savela at a Barre residence prior to his murder. On February 5, 2026, the Department acknowledged receipt of the request, and assigned reference number P001477-020526 to this request. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Shibley petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR26/0600, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the Department has provided a response. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Shibley with a response to his request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Shibley may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Craig Shibley