Crime & Safety

Fall River Herald: Robbery Motive Emerges in Platts Murder

The Fall River Herald reports new details from the investigation into the Nov. 18 murder of Edward Platts, formerly of Newport and Middletown.

The Fall River Herald reports that the two suspects accused of murdering Edward Platts had known him and allegedly set him up under a used car buying ruse before robbing him of $4,200, stealing his dog, and fatally shooting him in his car.

Platts, a 31-year-old musician who previously lived in Newport and Middletown before residing in Fall River the last few years, died Nov. 18 from a gunshot wound he reportedly received at point-blank range in his car outside a Fall River housing project. Fall River residents Charles Mendez and Tacoma Massie were arraigned Monday as co-defendants on charges of murder, armed robbery and illegal firearms possession.

On Wednesday, the newspaper also reported on suspect Charles Mendez' troubled past with the law, with five previous cocaine convictions and one assault with a firearm conviction in 2003.

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Click here for the Fall River Herald's latest updates in the case.


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