Tuesday on Boston Public Radio, Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey was asked by BPR cohost Jim Braude whether there will be an announcement soon about the investigation of a 2011 triple homicide in Waltham. Tamerlan Tsarnaev and Ibragim Todashev — both now deceased — are considered suspects in the open case.
"I'm not sure that it was limited to two suspects," Healey said, when Braude asked about Tsarnaev and Todashev.
Braude asked whether the consideration of one or more additional suspects was prolonging the investigation.
"That's my understanding. That's the basis for the continued look" at the case Healey said.
Healey told Braude and cohost Margery Eagan any additional questions would be better referred to the Middlesex District Attorney's office. "It's a question better posed elsewhere."
Plainville slots parlor opens
Healey said she had "concerns" about the opening of the new Plain Ridge slots parlor in Plainville, Mass.
"I think as Attorney General our responsibility [is to ensure] that consumers are protected, that workers are protected, and that public safety is protected."
She added, "I want us to have the tools in place that we're gonna need to protect people, but it's just something that will require constant vigilance."
Medical marijuana users in the workplace?
Gov. Charlie Baker issued a one-time waiver to expedite the opening of Massachusetts' first medical marijuana dispensary in Salem. Massachusetts voters approved medical marijuana in a November 2012 ballot initiative. Healey said she would work to provide protections to workers who use medical marijuana so they aren't fired for drug use.
"For employees there will be workplace protection," Healey said. "We're going to work hard as an office, providing them" with information.
Opiod epidemic in Massachusetts
In a news conference on Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced measures the state will take to combat opioid and prescription drug abuse in the state, which have resulted in 6,600 deaths over the past decade.
"You see how devastating and far-reaching this crisis is," A.G. Healey said. Healey has been in lockstep with the governor on the issue.
"We've seen the number of pain medication quadruple" since 1999, she said. "It's why we need to curb abuse, it's why we need to make sure we have safe prescribing."
Healey said she doesn't want to take prescription opioids out of the hands of patients with a legitimate need for them.
"I'm not looking to cut off anybody's access to pain medication. But we've got thousands of pills out there being diverted to the black market."
An outside prosecutor for the death of Usaamah Rahim
The use of deadly force against Usamaah Rahim in a Roslindale parking lot earlier this month has put law enforcement under scrutiny. Boston Police and the FBI said Rahim had been under surveillance for a long time, and that he posed an imminent threat when they confronted him in a CVS parking lot. Some are now calling for an independent investigation into Rahim's death.
"I'll be talking to others in law enforcement. We met recently with members of a civil rights organization," Healey said. "We want to be smart and fair about how we go about this."
"My office has met with these organizations including [the] Muslim Justice League," Healey added. "The ability to build trust between communities and law enforcement [is] so important."
Same-sex marriage before the high court
A.G. Healey filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the Obergefell v. Hodges case before the Supreme Court. The case could decide the fate of same-sex marriage across the US. Some are anticipating a ruling by Friday. Healey was optimistic about the outcome.
"How are you going to un-ring that bell? And what's going to happen to children of those married couples?" she asked, referring to other cases the court had previously addressed.
"I care a lot personally on this issue. It was the first brief filed with my name on it as Attorney General," Healey said, adding that she'll continue fighting for "equality and justice."
