LINCOLN – The shooting death of Jonathan F. Oster, 56, the former Lincoln town administrator who was convicted yesterday after a lengthy bribery trial, is being investigated as a suicide, according to the R.I. Office of the Attorney General.
“This is a tragedy upon a tragedy and, obviously, a heartbreaking loss for Mr. Oster’s family and loved ones,” Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said in a statement this afternoon. “I offer them our sincerest sympathies.”
Oster was indicted in October 2002 on two counts of solicitation of a bribe by public official and two counts of conspiracy to solicit a bribe, in a case involving the sale property seized by the town for back taxes. His conviction yesterday on all four charges followed a lengthy trial in Providence County Superior Court and two days of jury deliberations.
His sentencing had been scheduled for May 8, although his lawyers had said they would seek a new trial.
“Under Rhode Island law, a defendant’s conviction is not considered final until his or her appeal is decided,” Lynch’s office noted. “If a defendant dies before his or her conviction becomes final, the conviction is abated and must be vacated.”
Oster’s co-defendant, Robert Picerno, was convicted in 2004 and received an eight-year sentence, with three years to serve. In a statement yesterday, Lynch had said “We look forward to making the case that this defendant … ought to serve significant time in state prison for his crimes.”
After consulting with investigators at the Lincoln Police Department and R.I. State Police, the Attorney General’s office issued a statement confirming that a gun had been found this morning at Oster’s office building, located at 1525 Old Louisquissett Pike in Lincoln.
“Although the police investigation is ongoing, there is no evidence suggesting that the gun was used by anyone except Mr. Oster,” Lynch’s office said. The case also is being investigated by the R.I. Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy is to be conducted on Monday.
Additional information about the case is available from the R.I. Attorney General’s Office at www.riag.state.ri.us.
