January 12, 2026 – Springfield, Massachusetts – The Hampden County District Attorney’s Office confirms that in a written decision issued in December 2025, the Superior Court denied defendant Derrick Washington’s motion for a new trial in connection with his convictions stemming from a 2005 homicide and armed robbery. The decision followed a three-day evidentiary hearing on the motion that concluded on April 11, 2025.

The convictions stem from a February 2005 home invasion and armed robbery in Springfield that resulted in the shooting deaths of two individuals. Following a 2008 jury trial in Hampden Superior Court, Washington was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and firearms offenses, and was sentenced to life in prison.

After a comprehensive review of the trial record, post-conviction filings, and witness testimony presented during the evidentiary hearing, the Court concluded that the defendant failed to meet the legal standard required for a new trial. In its written decision, the Court found that the defendant did not demonstrate that any alleged nondisclosure of evidence or newly presented information would have altered the outcome of the trial.

The Court further determined that the defendant was not entitled to relief based on claims of ineffective assistance of counsel or newly discovered evidence and reaffirmed the validity of the jury’s verdict.

“We respect the Court’s careful and thorough review of the record in this case,” said District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “The Court’s decision reflects the rigorous legal standards applied in post-conviction review and reaffirms the jury’s verdict, and I thank Assistant District Attorney Katharine Johnston for her diligent work on this matter.”

As is standard practice, the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office respects the judicial process and the Court’s ruling. The Office remains committed to ensuring that convictions are obtained and upheld through fair, thorough, and lawful proceedings.