Jan 08, 2025
COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) — On Wednesday morning, two juries convened for the prosecution to begin presenting its case against two men accused of murdering a pregnant woman and dumping her body in a Coventry pond three years ago. Gary Gromkiewicz, 36, of Lincoln, and Michael Lambert, 46, of Pawtucket, are charged with murder and conspiracy in the death of 34-year-old Leila Duarte Da Luz. Leila Duarte Da Luz BACKGROUND: 2 charged with killing pregnant woman found in Coventry pond In this dual trial, each defendant has their own jury and attorney. While both cases are linked, Lambert's jury heard opening statements Tuesday, while Gromkiewicz's jury heard theirs on Wednesday. On the morning of Dec. 21, 2022, an angler discovered Da Luz's body in Carbuncle Pond after taking photos of the frozen water. She wasn’t identified until a week later through a missing person’s report. Prosecutors allege that Gromkiewicz and Lambert picked up Da Luz at her Brockton home around 2:30 a.m., seriously injured her, and then left her body in the pond. Officials believe Da Luz was alive when she entered the water, with blunt force trauma and drowning later determined to be the causes of her death. MORE: Court documents provide in-depth timeline of 2022 pregnant woman's murder (Courtesy: Rhode Island State Police) The men were indicted on Sept. 7, 2023, after detectives analyzed cell phone data linking them to Da Luz's death. Lambert pleaded not guilty later that month. Prosecutors believe Da Luz was Gromkiewicz’s ex-girlfriend and 10 weeks pregnant with his child at the time. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW
Respond, make new discussions, see other discussions and customize your news...

To add this website to your home screen:

1. Tap tutorialsPoint

2. Select 'Add to Home screen' or 'Install app'.

3. Follow the on-scrren instructions.

Feedback
FAQ
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service