After 3 decades behind bars, Mass. man walks free on bail

DEDHAM, Mass. — With the sun shining brightly on his face, Fred Weichel walked out of the Dedham courthouse a free man Thursday.

"Feel like a million bucks!" he told Boston 25's Bob Ward.

For 36 years, Weichel, now 66, has been dreaming this day would come.

In 1981, he was convicted of murdering of Robert Lamonica in Braintree and sentenced to life no parole. Since the beginning, he has maintained he didn't do it.

Bob Ward interviewed Weichel more than 15 years ago at Souza-Baranowski prison. He said that South Boston mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger framed him.

Recently, a Bulger letter surfaced in which Whitey claimed he knew who killed Lamonica, and it wasn't Weichel.

The legal turning point came when a new defense team uncovered previously forgotten police files suggesting another man, now dead, could have been Lamonica's  killer. That led to a judge ordering a new trial, and now, Weichel's release after posting $5,000 bail.

"There was information that was withheld probably unintentionally but that was withheld. If it had been provided over to the defense at the time, there may have been a different resolution of the trial," said Alison Kinchla, Weichel's attorney.

When asked whether this day would come, he responded, "I had my doubts."

Weichel's legal journey is not over, but for now, he's focused on what's he's missed.

"A steak dinner," he said.

The last time he had steak was about 36 years ago.

The district attorney is challenging the judge's order for a new trial, but Weichel will remain free on bail for now.

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