Man accused of murdering brothers

LOWELL (FOX25, myfoxboston) - Jury selection began Monday in the trial of Commonwealth vs. Rene Ramos, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone's office informed the public today.

Ramos, 29, of Lowell, is charged with two counts of first degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm in connection with the shooting deaths of two Billerica brothers, Paul Donovan, age 20, and Michael Donovan, age 18.

Jury selection will take place Monday, June 15, in Lowell Superior Court beginning at 9 a.m. According to authorities, on January 31, 2002, at approximately 11:26 p.m., Lowell Police were called to the parking lot of the Courtyard Marriott, located at 30 Industrial Avenue, in Lowell.

At the scene, they discovered Paul Donovan, age 20, and his brother Michael Donovan, age 18, in a white GMC Suburban, evidencing head trauma. Paul Donovan was pronounced dead at the scene. Michael Donovan was transported to Lowell General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Lowell Police contacted State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, and together they commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

On February 1, 2002, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (ME) conducted autopsies on the Donovan brothers. The ME found the cause of death of both men to be a single gunshot wound to the head, and ruled both deaths homicides.

On Friday, September 22, 2006, as a result of an exhaustive four year, nine month joint investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Massachusetts State Police, and Lowell Police, involving multiple witnesses, a review of the physical evidence, as well as a review of relevant records, investigators sought and obtained a warrant for Ramos' arrest from the Lowell District Court charging him with two counts of murder. Authorities allege that Paul Donovan arrived for a prearranged meeting at the parking lot of the Courtyard Marriott on Industrial Avenue in Lowell to meet Ramos, with Michael Donovan providing Paul with a ride. Authorities allege that Ramos, while seated in the back seat of the Donovan's GMC Suburban, shot both Paul and Michael Donovan to death while all three were in that vehicle parked in the Marriott parking lot on January 31, 2002.

A Middlesex Superior Grand Jury indicted Ramos on September 28, 2006. He was arraigned on October 10 and ordered held without bail.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The trial team is led by Assistant District Attorney Tom O'Reilly and includes Assistant District Attorney Bethany Stevens, Assistant District Attorney Lisa McGovern, Paralegal Nancy Stanton, and Victim Witness Advocate Dorothy Berrios.