Trial To Begin in Love Triangle Double Murder

July 28, 2008— -- When two men were found shot to death inside the office of a Wakefield concrete company, investigators initially looked for problems at the small, family-run business.

But Michael Zammitti Jr., 39, the company's president, and Chester Roberts, 51, a part-time handyman and driver, did not appear to have any debts or major business disputes.

Within weeks, investigators found a much more personal motive for the killings: an affair between Zammitti's wife and a family friend, Sean Fitzpatrick, who lived near the couple's lakeside vacation home in the tiny town of Freedom, N.H.

On Monday, jury selection begins in Fitzpatrick's murder trial at Middlesex Superior Court.

Fitzpatrick, 44, is accused of killing Michael Zammitti in a fit of jealousy in March 2006 after Michelle Zammitti broke off their affair and told him she would not leave her husband.

They say Roberts was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Prosecutors say he walked into work at Allstate Concrete Pumping right after Fitzpatrick shot Zammitti with a 16-gauge shotgun.

Michelle Zammitti is expected to be a key witness for prosecutors at Fitzpatrick's trial.

Fitzpatrick's lawyer, Randy Gioia, would not discuss the motive alleged by prosecutors.

"Sean Fitzpatrick has always maintained his innocence and he's looking forward to the trial," Gioia said Friday.

Fitzpatrick spent so much time with the Zammittis that their three young children called him "Uncle Sean." Michelle Zammitti at first told authorities she had developed an "emotional relationship" with Fitzpatrick, but later admitted that their friendship became physical in 2005.

In August 2005, after Michael Zammitti's mother caught Michelle and Fitzpatrick in an embrace, the Zammittis began marriage counseling sessions, Michelle Zammitti told investigators. She said their marriage started to improve, but Fitzpatrick continued to urge her to leave her husband.

In February 2006, Michelle Zammitti met with Fitzpatrick and told him that "as long as Michael did not leave her she was staying with Michael," prosecutors said in court documents.