EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: The lawyer representing a Boston police officer, recently detained for allegedly fatally shooting a carjacking suspect, argues that his client has an unblemished record and criticizes the District Attorney’s handling of the case as atypical.
“He has an impeccable service record with no disciplinary issues or reprimands,” stated Ken Anderson from the law firm Anderson and Goldman to Fox News Digital.
Nicholas O’Malley, aged 33, was taken into custody on March 19 following an on-duty incident on March 11, where he shot carjacking suspect Stephenson King, 39. The situation escalated after a woman called 911, reporting that a man, later identified as King, assaulted her, dragged her from her vehicle, and drove off with it.
Boston Police Officer Nicholas O’Malley, seen here with his attorney during his arraignment at Roxbury Municipal Court in Boston on Thursday, March 19, 2026, faces manslaughter charges for the fatal shooting of Stephenson King. (Photo by Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe, Pool via AP)
O’Malley, who has served with the Boston Police for six years, reportedly discharged three shots during the altercation. According to Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association, King disregarded lawful commands during the arrest attempt. Officers described the scene as chaotic, noting that King nearly reversed over O’Malley’s partner before speeding forward, prompting the shooting.
Stephenson King was known to law enforcement, with a history of criminal activity, including charges related to firearms.
District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office alleges O’Malley committed voluntary manslaughter by shooting and killing King without reasonably fearing for his own safety.
But Anderson described the district attorney’s actions as unusual.
Boston Police officers attend the arraignment for their colleague, Nicholas O’Malley, in Roxbury Municipal Court in Boston on Thursday, March 19, 2026, on manslaughter charges in the fatal shooting of Stephenson King. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe, Pool via AP)
An internal investigation into the shooting had not yet been completed, and a grand jury had not been impaneled before the arrest.
“I think most of the outrage here is just the fact that they made a decision eight days into this just to go arrest him without any grand jury presentation,” Anderson said.
Anderson said the DA’s office is “trying to send a message.” Prosecutors asked for a $25,000 bond.
“You know, obviously, the district attorney decided to make this bold, unprecedented statement that has created furor or backlash,” said Anderson. “I don’t know why he did it. There’s really no reason to do it. Again, my client, he’s 33-years-old. He’s lived in Massachusetts his entire life. He’s married. He’s got a six-month-old. He’s got a three-year-old. He owns a house. He’s not a flight risk.”
Boston Police Officer Nicholas O’Malley, right, is accompanied by his attorney, foreground left, during his arraignment in Roxbury Municipal Court in Boston on Thursday, March 19, 2026, for manslaughter charges in the fatal shooting of Stephenson King. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe, Pool via AP)
“Instead of actually, letting the process run its way through, completing the reports — these firearm discharge investigation reports usually take months to complete — in this case, just to make the decision, eight days in, to just go arrest him and not even give the courtesy of the opportunity just to turn himself in,” he said. “I don’t know why, they acted that way. To me, it’s very disturbing.”
O’Malley has received vast support among his fellow officers, many of whom appeared in court during his first hearing to back him.
“It’s a complete tragedy that we’re here today talking about this,” Calderone said in a press conference after the hearing. “We’re here very strongly to tell you that we back our officer. The facts are going to come out. That officer was in fear of his partner. It’s very easy to come in Monday morning and take a look at a body camera and try to determine what an officer felt from your point of view. No one knows how it is to be a man or woman in uniform.”
Calderone said it is difficult for non-police officers to understand what goes through an officer’s mind when a split-second decision about whether their life, the life of their partner or the life of an innocent victim could be at risk.
O’Malley has pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance.
Boston Police officers leave the courtroom after their colleague, Nicholas O’Malley, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Roxbury Municipal Court in Boston on Thursday, March 19, 2026, for manslaughter charges in the fatal shooting of Stephenson King. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe, Pool via AP)
Hayden is up for reelection this year, and the shooting has become a political flashpoint.
The arrest has sparked interest among several people, including Democrats, in running against Hayden, Axios reported.
Far-left Rep. Ayanna Pressley D-Mass., whose district includes Boston, released a politically-charged statement about the shooting.
“I am deeply alarmed by the recent shooting by police in Roxbury of Stephenson King. My heart is with his family as we grieve this killing and everyone impacted in our community,” she said. “The District Attorney’s office moved quickly to bring charges, and it is essential that Stephenson’s family has access to body camera footage to ensure a full, truthful account of the shooting, along with critical resources to support their healing. While justice would mean Stephenson’s life was not taken in the first place, we must have transparency and accountability. That means holding everyone involved to account. The trauma of violence reverberates far beyond a single instance, so we must remain committed to enacting policies that truly keep us all safe.”
Hayden’s office did not return a comment request.
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