PHOTO BY KEN YUSZKUS
Brian Brito stands with his lawyer, Rebecca Whitehill, in Salem Superior Court on Friday for his arraignment.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SALEM — A New Hampshire man pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 24-year-old Atha’s Famous Roast Beef deliveryman in Essex County Superior Court Friday.
Brian Brito, 21, of Manchester, N.H., is accused of killing Mohammadreza Sina Zangiband on March 27 in Lynn. Zangiband was delivering food on Bowler Street, near St. Pius V School, when he was fatally shot in his car.
Brito pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree murder, aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, armed robbery while masked, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was ordered to remain held without bail until his next court appearance on Aug. 10.
A man who witnessed the shooting told police he saw a dark-colored Audi force a Hyundai, driven by Zangiband, to pull over on Bowler Street, according to an affidavit filed by State Police Trooper Thomas J. Sullivan IV in Lynn District Court. The witness said a man exited the Audi, walked around his car over to the Hyundai, pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the driver and shot him four to five times.
Brito was arrested by State Police in Peabody about four hours after the shooting, while driving the gray Audi that was sought in connection with the homicide. Police said an illegal gun was found in his possession. He was quickly linked to the description of a suspect wanted by North Andover Police in connection with an armed robbery and sexual assault at Richdale less than an hour earlier.
Brito allegedly ordered the Richdale clerk at gunpoint to lock the store doors before sexually assaulting her in the back room. He then emptied the cash drawer and took several lottery tickets before fleeing the scene, according to a statement from the North Andover Police Department.
Friday’s arraignment was the first time Brito appeared before the public. At the request of his defense attorney, Rebecca Whitehill, he remained out of sight during his arraignment on firearm and motor vehicle charges in Peabody District Court and in Lawrence District Court when he was arraigned on charges of aggravated rape, armed robbery while masked, and kidnapping.
Zangiband’s family members attended the arraignment Friday morning and were visibly upset after hearing the plea.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.