Jury returns verdict in killing of Duxbury dad by son

BROCKTON – The 22-year-old Duxbury man accused of drowning his father in 2021 was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by a jury Thursday.

Jack Callahan was 19 when prosecutors said he shoved the head of his 57-year-old father, Scott Callahan, under water multiple times in a Duxbury pond, killing him.

Jack Callahan told police that he believed his father was possessed by a spirit and he needed to be baptized and exorcised, prosecutors said during his initial arrangement. But that information was not included in Callahan's trial.

Callahan's attorney previously called the investigation "shoddy" and said the state didn't have enough evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.

More: Prosecutor: Duxbury teen killed father while trying to 'exorcise' his demons

The trial started April 11 and the jury began deliberating about a week later. The jury twice told Judge William Sullivan they were deadlocked, but he ordered them to continue deliberating.

Callahan’s bail has been revoked and he will be held until sentencing, which is set for May 3 at 2 p.m.

Prosecution says Callahan killed his father during an altercation

Plymouth Assistant District Attorney Amanda Fowle said Callahan had a friend drive him to Boston with plans to pick up his father from a Boston hotel where he was staying. The friends found Callahan's father, who had problems with alcohol, at a Boston bar. The elder Callahan had been living at an assisted living facility in Hopkinton but had checked himself out.

Callahan and his father then took an early morning Uber ride to Island Creek Pond in Duxbury from Boston. Scott Callahan's sister, Martha DeMarco, testified that her nephew called her and said he was going to pick up his father, but later called her and said he was "missing."

Callahan arrived at his mother's Duxbury home around 2 a.m. in wet clothing, prompting her to call the police.

Callahan told police there was an altercation and his father hit him in the face repeatedly. The pair then ended up in the water.

Officials found Scott Callahan in the pond with his suitcases floating nearby.

Defense says there isn't enough evidence to convict

Attorney Kevin Reddington is representing Callahan, who was 19 at the time of his father's death. He said there is no evidence proving that Callahan caused his father's death.

He encouraged jurors to “draw on life experiences and common sense” to consider whether the state met its burden of proof for first-degree murder.

“You have the ability to bring your life experiences into the jury room to decide whether the state has proven this case beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.

Contact Hannah Morse at hmorse@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Duxbury MA man found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of dad