Arrest made in Merriam Street murder

By George P. Hassett

A Dorchester man was arrested and arraigned in Somerville District Court Wednesday in connection with the Aug. 30, Somerville murder of Bernard Johnson, 22, of Worcester. 
  Walter Norris, 20, of Dorchester, is charged with murder.   

   
  On Aug. 30 at approximately 1:07 a.m., Somerville Police responded to a report of gunshots fired on Merriam Street in Somerville.  Upon arrival at the scene, police found the victim, Bernard Johnson, in a parking lot near 32 Merriam Street, suffering from gunshot wounds.  He was transported by ambulance to Cambridge Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Somerville Police contacted State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney‚Äôs office, and together they began an investigation into Johnson‚Äôs death.
  According to authorities, the victim and his girlfriend were at a small gathering at an apartment on Merriam Street prior to the shooting.  When the victim and his girlfriend left the gathering, they were confronted by an individual, later identified as Valentino Facey.  Facey had been at the gathering earlier in the evening.  Police said Facey and Johnson became involved in a physical altercation, during the course of which Facey allegedly attempted to steal a gold chain from Johnson at gunpoint.  Norris then emerged from the apartment where the gathering was held, carrying a firearm, police said. 
  Several other men also emerged from the apartment to the scene of the altercation.  Police said Norris then shot Johnson several times. All five men then fled the scene.  Facey was located and apprehended by police a short time later. 
  During an autopsy of Johnson the medical examiner found the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, and ruled the death a homicide.  Facey was arraigned in Somerville District Court before Judge Maurice Flynn that same day.  He pled not guilty and was ordered held on $50,000 bail.  On Oct. 30, Facey was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury and charged with attempting to commit a crime.  He was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court Nov. 13.  At arraignment he pled not guilty and was ordered held on $50,000 bail.
  After a three-month investigation, Norris was arrested Wednesday afternoon without incident in Boston by State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney‚Äôs Office, and Somerville Police, with the assistance of Boston Police. 
  Norris was transported to the Somerville Police Department where he was booked.  Norris was arraigned this afternoon before Judge Maurice Flynn.  At arraignment he pled not guilty, and was ordered held without bail.  Norris is due back in Somerville District Court Jan. 4 for a pretrial conference.  The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Joseph Gentile.