A Barnstable jury last week found 47-year-old Robert Upton guilty in the 2009 murder of Aris Manoloules. It’s the first guilty verdict in a case that has embroiled one Southborough family.
Prosecutors have alleged Southborough resident Treefon Manoloules masterminded his brother Aris’ murder because he was angry their mother left her entire estate to him. They claim Treefon enlisted the help of his teenage son Christopher Manoloules, also of Southborough, along with his brother-in-law Upton to shoot Aris at his Hyannis home. All three men were arrested for the crime.
Treefon was the first to stand trial in 2011. He was found not guilty by a jury. Upton was the second to face a jury, and last week was found guilty of being the triggermn in the murder. He faces life in prison with no parole.
Christopher Manoloules, who admits he was with Upton the night of the murder, remains in jail awaiting his own trial after testifying against both his father and Upton. The Metrowest Daily News reports prosecutors have declined to say whether they still plan to charge him with first-degree murder. He’s due in court for a status hearing later this week.
Brad Petrishen of the Metrowest Daily News was in Barnstable Superior Court for Upton’s whole trial. You can read all of his stories here.
