Defense Attorney David Yannetti to Represent Boston Police Officer Nicholas O’Malley in On-Duty Manslaughter Case

Attorney David Yannetti will represent Officer Nicholas O’Malley, who is charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of carjacking suspect Stephenson King.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 11:41 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Boston Herald

A High-Profile Defense for a Controversial Shooting

In a significant legal development in Boston’s judicial landscape, attorney David Yannetti announced on Thursday, April 9, 2026, that he will lead the defense for Boston Police Officer Nicholas O’Malley. The move brings one of the region’s most recognized defense lawyers into a case that has already generated considerable public debate. O’Malley stands accused of manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of Stephenson King, a suspect allegedly involved in a carjacking incident. Yannetti, who gained national attention during the Karen Read trial, characterized the charges as a false accusation against a public servant performing his sworn duty.

Conflicting Accounts of the Carjacking Confrontation

The incident, which occurred last month, centered on a confrontation between police and King, who was operating an allegedly stolen vehicle. Officer O’Malley has maintained that he fired his weapon because he feared for the life of his partner. According to the defense, King had backed the vehicle into a police cruiser and failed to comply with officer commands. However, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office challenged this narrative during the charging process. Prosecutors allege that body camera footage indicates O’Malley’s partner was not in immediate danger from the vehicle, but was instead in more danger of being struck by O’Malley’s own gunfire.

Strategic Parallels to Previous High-Stakes Cases

Yannetti’s involvement draws immediate comparisons to his defense of Karen Read, who was acquitted of second-degree murder in 2024. In a letter to the media, Yannetti and his co-counsel, Christina Pujals Ronan, indicated they are prepared to aggressively challenge the District Attorney’s Office. The defense team suggested that the prosecution represents a broader trend of "protecting criminals while prosecuting good police officers." This rhetoric aligns with the team's current representation of other law enforcement figures, including State Police Sgt. Scott Quigley, who faces charges in a separate motor vehicle homicide case.