Jury Acquits Paul Lachapelle Jr. in Contestable Murder-for-Hire Trial

The murder occurred amidst a series of shootings in the Springfield area, suspected to be connected to drug-related conflicts.

A jury in Windsor County has acquitted Paul Lachapelle Jr. of charges related to murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The case revolved around a 2022 murder-for-hire incident that led to the death of 38-year-old Justin Gilliam, who was discovered with a bullet wound to the head near Springfield.

Law enforcement officials claimed that Lachapelle, a New Hampshire resident, was implicated in the crime due to supposed payments made to him in cash and drugs for executing the murder. Arrested two years following the incident, the prosecution argued that although direct physical evidence, such as the firearm, was missing, a confession from Lachapelle was a compelling element of their case.

During the proceedings, the defense highlighted that the individuals to whom Lachapelle allegedly confessed were not reliable sources, asserting that the jury recognized discrepancies in their testimony. The defense attorney expressed confidence that the evidence presented, which indicated Lachapelle's innocence, was persuasive to the jurors.

The murder occurred amidst a series of shootings in the Springfield area, suspected to be connected to drug-related conflicts. The prosecution suggested that tensions between the victim and a group known as the Castro family contributed to the motivation for the crime, but the jury ultimately rejected this argument.

Following the verdict, the State’s Attorney of Windsor County acknowledged the disappointment regarding the outcome, expressing gratitude to the jury, court staff, and Vermont State Police for their efforts throughout the case. Both families involved in the matter chose not to comment after the trial concluded.