WOBURN, Mass. — Christopher Campbell, a resident of Billerica, was arraigned Thursday on charges of second-degree murder and related offenses for striking and killing Gregory Leschishin, a 69-year-old boxing referee, with a stolen vehicle in May. The charges arise from an incident that drew attention due to its tragic circumstances and the legal implications surrounding it.
At Middlesex Superior Court, the 31-year-old Campbell pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, which could lead to a life sentence if he is convicted. Under Massachusetts law, second-degree murder involves an unlawful killing with intent to cause serious harm or recklessness toward human life, but without the premeditation needed for first-degree murder.
Following the arraignment, First Assistant Clerk Magistrate Daniel Flaherty granted a request from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office to detain Campbell without bail. A future bail hearing will be scheduled. Campbell also faces multiple charges, including leaving the scene of a fatal accident and carjacking, all of which he has denied.
During the court proceedings, Middlesex District Attorney Mary O’Neill emphasized the strength of the case against Campbell and highlighted the potential risk of him fleeing if released. She dismissed claims from Campbell’s defense attorney, Joan Fund, who argued that her client was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident. According to O’Neill, the serious nature of the charges may incentivize Campbell to escape.
Fund, however, contended that Campbell’s actions stemmed from a severe mental health episode induced by substance use, worsened by distress over his father’s brain cancer diagnosis. She maintained that this mental state diminished his ability to make rational decisions. Fund criticized O’Neill’s representation of Campbell’s psychological condition, insisting that his behavior resulted from a deteriorating mental state rather than malicious intent.
The incident that led to Leschishin’s death occurred on the evening of May 2, when Campbell, driving on Rogers Street, crashed head-on into another vehicle before abandoning it, entering the victim’s car, and continuing along Rogers Street. O’Neill noted that after encounter traffic stopped at a red light, Campbell veered onto the sidewalk and struck Leschishin, who was out for a walk. Following the collision, Leschishin succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
In a sequence of events captured on surveillance footage, Campbell fled the scene, later abandoning the stolen vehicle after crashing into a guardrail on Interstate 495. When police located him, he was allegedly hiding and initially resisted commands to show his hands. Campbell reportedly claimed to have a firearm, which was revealed to be untrue, prompting law enforcement to use a Taser to subdue him. Fund disputes this account, claiming Campbell was compliant when officers arrived.
Fund further argued that Campbell’s psychological state before and during the incident indicated he lacked the intent required for a murder charge. She described a pattern of erratic behavior following distress due to his father’s health decline, which included substance abuse episodes. According to Fund, Campbell’s mental health struggles were well-known to his family, who had planned but delayed seeking treatment due to their concerns about his father.
As the legal proceedings continue, an out-of-court conference is scheduled for October 8, where future court dates, including a bail hearing, will be established. The case remains under scrutiny as both sides prepare for what is expected to be a complex trial.