Anthony Canejo Sr.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informs the public today that Anthony Canejo Sr., 52, and Anthony Canejo Jr., 30, both of Somerville, have been charged in connection with the investigation of the death of Vincent Lalli, 66, of Somerville, whose body was discovered in Norwood.

Anthony Canejo Sr. was arraigned today in Somerville District Court on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  Somerville District Court Judge Antoinette Leoney ordered him held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for February 21.

Anthony Canejo Jr. was also arraigned today in Somerville District Court and was charged with being an accessory after an armed assault with intent to murder and accessory after an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  Judge Leoney ordered him held on $250,000 cash bail.  He was also held without bail on a probation violation.  His next court date is March 28 for a pre-trial hearing.

The body of Lalli was discovered January 29 behind the Coakley Middle School in Norwood by Norwood Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.  As a result of an ongoing investigation, authorities believe that Lalli was killed in Somerville, in Middlesex County.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

The defendants and victim were known to each other.  Authorities determined that Lalli lived with the defendants in an apartment in Somerville.  It is alleged that Anthony Canejo Sr. assaulted the victim with a crowbar and strangled the victim.  Authorities allege that Canejo Sr. then removed the victim’s body from the Somerville apartment.  Anthony Canejo Jr. then allegedly assisted his father by helping to dispose of the body in Norwood, where it was later discovered.

Anthony Canejo Sr. was arrested Thursday in Quincy.  Anthony Canejo Jr. was arrested this morning in Watertown.  The investigation is ongoing by Massachusetts State Police assigned to both the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the State Police Special Tactical Operations Team, Norwood Police, Somerville Police, Quincy Police, and Watertown Police.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adrienne Lynch.