Opening arguments heard in 2021 Northampton homicide case

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Opening arguments in a 2021murdercase took place in Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton on Tuesday. Two years after Steven Malloy was first indicted on murder and firearm charges tied to 39-year-old Joseph Fillio’s December 2021 death, he sat in front of a judge and a jury and his legal team made it plain and simple in their opening statement: focus on what happened, instead of why it happened.

“There’s no doubt that he was at the apartment that night, but there’s going to be other that quite distinctly points to something else happening? What happened and what’s the evidence?" Malloy’s attorney said. “Is it physically possible what happened?”

Prosecutors had some contrasting words to describe the man whom they said shot Fillio in the head at a downtown Northampton apartment on that winter night. They described the situation almost like it was at random. Multiple people were actually inside the Randolph Place apartment when the incident occurred and eyewitnesses are expected to take the witness stand on Wednesday to say they had no clue what was going on when Malloy had allegedly drew his gun and walked over to where Fillio was.

“He puts the barrel of the gun up to Mr. Fillio’s temple and again Wilchek still does not know what’s going on, he backs up, everyone freezes, Wilchek describes Fillio as getting completely still and, with the gun to Fillio’s temple, Malloy pulls the trigger,” a prosecutor said in court.

Malloy has been behind bars since he was captured by police years ago. If he’s found guilty, he’ll stay there for decades to come.

Western Mass News will have more from the courtroom tonight at 6 p.m. on ABC40.