~ Malden Musings ~

Meet Middlesex County Prosecutor of the Year (2025) David Marc Solet

By Peter Levine

“I have seen the future of rock & roll” (oops, I meant the future of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office), and his name is David Marc Solet. Sorry Bruce, lifted from you once again!

Last week I sat down for an informal interview with one David Solet for breakfast at (where else!) Franny’s in Maplewood Square. Dave grew up in Cambridge but is no stranger to Malden. The Cliff Notes version of Dave’s storied career goes like this…from 2019-2025 Chief of the Cold Case Homicide Unit, Chair of Conviction Integrity Committee, summa cum laude Princeton grad (he’s too young to know fellow Princeton grad, Malden’s Jack Freker) and cum laude Harvard Law School grad. Oops, forgot 2025 Middlesex County Prosecutor of the Year! “How ’bout that?” as NY Yankee great Phil Rizzuto would say!

Yeah, that’s outstanding and I could have gone on and on and on. This guy got game, seriously! Anyway, Dave’s gonna throw his hat into the ring and challenge his boss, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, for her job come this election season, and he wanted to spread the word around town.

Challenging the boss? Now that takes some serious chutzpah! As we sat that morning at Franny’s, I got the distinct impression Dave’s up for the job. But Dave isn’t just doing this for kicks — he’s got a plan — a three-part mission driving him. The first-time candidate wants to shake up the office culture and keep the best and brightest lawyers from bolting to big firms. He’s out to build a team that can go toe-to-toe with those high-priced private attorneys. And on top of that, he’s calling for a fresh game plan when it comes to public safety — one that, in his view, works in 2025 and beyond. This he feels very strongly about. Bringing crime fighting into the 21st century. And he got the best of the best as his senior consultant, none other than Matty O’Neil, who served as a lead consultant to former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s unexpected 2013 upset race for Boston Mayor.

O’Neil’s take on Dave? “Dave is a unique first-time candidate. He understands that it’s his job to make the case why every voter should see his election as potentially making a difference in their lives; the lives of their friends and families; and the lives of every citizen who resides in Middlesex County.”

Meanwhile, them that know Dave remember him for his heroic efforts in 2013 prosecuting the “Maplewood Gang,” taking drugs, guns and ill-gotten gain off the streets of Malden along with JP Kelley and the rest of the Malden Police Department. He and the MPD had a game plan, they executed it, and the results were a relief to all Maldonians during very tense times bringing to a close one of Malden’s darkest chapters.

If that wasn’t enough to get Dave into my Malden Musings Hall of Fame, he also helped solve the cold case — as chronicled by longtime intrepid reporter (and much more) Steve Freker in the August 18, 2023, edition of The Malden Advocate: “Cold Case Conviction: Georgia man, 50, convicted of first-degree murder in 1991 shooting of Malden teen, 17.” Yup, seems the Middlesex District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit led by Mr. Solet (as Chief of the Unit) finally cracked the case after “a series of discoveries” previously not pursued using “every tool at their disposal to root out new information.”

Over breakfast at Franny’s (which, by the way, never disappoints — those folks are awesome), I got to see firsthand the passion Dave brings to the job. He’s the real deal: honest, grounded, laser-focused and just plain easy to talk to. Naturally, our conversation took a brief detour to more pressing issues. Maldonia culinary culture — Franny’s Eggs Benedict, to be more specific. Dave confirmed what we’ve all known for years: so good! Meanwhile, we both sat in awe as our mutual friend demolished his Hungryman’s Special like a man on a mission — syrup flying, bacon disappearing. My breakfast? Fuhgeddaboudit! Mine didn’t last very long either! As the late, great Tommy Heinsohn would’ve shouted from the rafters — “I LOVE Franny’s!”

But I digress… back to Dave. The bottom line? He gets the Malden Musings stamp of approval. Yes, I can hear the “BIG DEAL!” grumblings from here. So much so that I handed him eight questions so you — my fellow Maldonians — can get to know him not just as a noble warrior for truth and justice, but as a genuinely good human being.

So, without further ado, Dave Marc Solet, this is your world…

• Question: What one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
• Answer: I’m red-green colorblind but spent most of my life without knowing it. When I joined the Army, I failed their color vision test and couldn’t believe it! I had to get a medical waiver to become an officer.
• Q: Where would you most like to buy a one-way ticket to?
• A: Sicily. Beautiful climate, amazing food.
• Q: What person, alive or dead, would you like to eat dinner with?
• A: Abraham Lincoln.
• Q: What’s one song to play to put yourself in a good mood?
• A: “Tougher Than the Rest” — Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen.
• Q: What is the one piece of advice that most changed your life?
• A: An adult spends most of his waking hours at work. Figure out what you love to do and do that.
• Q: What one piece of advice would you give your younger self?
• A: Protect your friends from drugs and alcohol. A lot of people I grew up with have really struggled with substance abuse. Some of them are still struggling.
• Q: What’s the one thing that keeps you motivated?
• A: Young people with good hearts.
• Q: What’s the one thing you want to be remembered for?
• A: That I stood up for people that couldn’t stand up for themselves.

So, there you have it! My first BIG prediction for the 2026 campaign cycle (I ain’t no Jimmy “Stinger” Cahill, but I try). The race to watch: Solet vs. Ryan for Middlesex DA. Hokey smoke!

It is said in Malden Musings…

• Breaking news…Malden High grad Rob Santo, who next may be seen wearing the uniform of the Medford Mustangs in the Intercity League, enjoyed a tremendous season as the designated hitter with Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida. A freshman, Santo was bothered by an injury early in the season and finally got a chance to play mid-March and got into Flagler’s last 25 games. As cleanup hitter, Santo had 34 hits, including eight home runs, a triple and five doubles, drove in 27 runs, scored 21, and batted .410. In four tourney games, Santo batted .400 (six hits in 15 at bats) with three doubles and six runs batted in.
• Oh wait, that report was from June of 1983 as reported in the Malden Evening News by the inimitable Paul Leahy — ace sports scribe for the News. Rob would go on to have a Hall of Fame career with Flagler, get drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, marry well, then post-baseball start Garrick-Santo Landscape Design with his brothers Barry and Dickie “King of King Neptune” Santo. Look up the definition of “wicked good kid” in the dictionary — yes, that is Rob’s picture accompanying the definition.
• Just learned last week that Robby and I live so close to each other that he could hit a 90+-mile-an-hour fastball from his abode to mine, as the crow flies, of course.
• Cute little story from my high school classmate Kim Bowie Sterrett (yes, famous Malden Police Officer Noelle Bowie-Pierce’s mom) …seems her cousin Elaine (Flynn) Thomas — who grew up/lived for many years at 74 Pine St. — mentioned to her that many years ago (early ’60s) a family had moved onto Pine Street from down South (Mississippi to be exact). One winter day, she saw the children’s mother (Dottie) showing her boys snow, for the very first time…those two little rascals turned out to be the Cioffi boys, Cliff & Bert!
• Please (deity of your choice) almighty, tell me that China Garden have not locked their doors, like forever?! Please tell me this is simply a cruel joke spread by heartless, unfeeling individuals who know not the anguish and sadness this may bring to Maldonians. Please say it ain’t so!

Malden Musings Vintage Sports Spotlight Redux: Malden Musings tips its Sinatra fedora hat to a real blast from the past — the 96th anniversary of the undefeated 1929 Lincoln Junior High Football Team. These were the boys from Suffolk Square — Captain Harry Berg, Abraham Miller, Joseph Weinberg, Isaac Rigmont, Tommy Lutch and Leonard Lutes — a gridiron gang that steamrolled their way to a flawless 7–0 record, outscoring opponents by an eye-popping 180–6!

Their most jaw-dropping victory came in Game 4, when Lincoln absolutely flattened Centre School of Malden 88–6. That wasn’t a fluke either — the Lincoln lads went undefeated for a third straight season, piling up an astonishing 25 straight wins. Talk about a dynasty in short pants and kippah!

The season capped off in grand style with the Annual Football Banquet in November of 1929, held at the Malden Club Banquet Hall (not sure where that was located) and catered by the ever-reliable Fitzgerald Brothers of Medford Street (at the corner of Pearl — the polka dot building today). Principal Galvin, sidelined by what was described as a “heavy cold,” couldn’t attend. Superintendent of Schools Mr. Marshall played toastmaster, introducing the School Committee while “popular football official” James Parker served as the night’s main speaker, dishing out hearty congratulations and “much good advice” to the young champs.

Coaches Dempsey and Goodreau could barely contain their pride, praising their boys’ grit, work ethic, teamwork and “unbreakable spirit.” Each player went home with a simple but symbolic token — an engraved pencil — while Principal Galvin was gifted a gold piece, and Coach Dempsey received a gold football for his efforts.

About Suffolk Square — here’s a quick primer for the uninitiated. Suffolk Square, centered around Bryant and Cross Streets, was once the beating heart of Malden’s Jewish community. The neighborhood buzzed with life: Jewish delis, synagogues, mom-and-pop shops and even a movie theater lined the streets (Capital?). It was warm, lively and full of character — a place where everyone knew your name (and probably your mother’s brisket recipe). Sadly, when Urban Renewal rolled through, much of that cherished neighborhood faded away. Only faint traces remain today — but its spirit, like the 1929 Lincoln boys, refuses to be forgotten; certainly not in Malden Musings.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — I’ve had PFC John Waden on my mind lately. His memorial sits quietly at the corner of the Fells and Charles Street — a spot I’ve walked past my entire life. Even as a kid, before I knew a single detail about who he was, I felt the weight of that place. It was sacred. It is sacred.

John was only 21 when he was killed in action in Pleiku Province, South Vietnam. Twenty-one. That number alone can knock the wind out of you. What really undid me recently was a photograph I stumbled upon online: John’s face looking back, impossibly young, the unmistakable “Son of Watts Street” babyface. It hit me hard, harder than I expected. I thought of myself at 21, the things I worried about, the things I didn’t have to worry about. Then I tried to imagine this young man — just a kid, really — thousands of miles from home, from his mother, from his family, from the familiar sidewalks of Edgeworth. And there I was, a wreck all over again.

So, here’s to John. And here’s to every young man who left Malden — or any hometown — to go to war long before they’d had the chance to grow old. Malden Musings will always remember you. Always.

Postscript: Maldonia! In case the winds of Edgeworth haven’t carried the news your way yet — the Pope of Edgeworth himself, Dommy Settemio’s big brother Billy, has left this world for greener, gentler pastures. Billy fought the noble fight with every ounce of grit he was born with, and now he’s cashing in on the rewards of a faith lived loud and true (and his way). I can definitely see him now, pulled into the great beyond by Richie Cremone, who’s undoubtedly throwing yet another legendary skiffyskaff soirée. This time with no last call, open bar all night and no complaints from any neighbors.

I’ll continue to wrap my heart and head around this mind-bending loss before I set pencil to paper and properly honor Billy in print. He meant SO much to SO many that I worry my words won’t be enough to capture the size of his shadow or the warmth of that big, beautiful smile of his. But I’ll try. I owe him that.

From Emerson School to eternity and beyond, love you, Billy. Happy trails, my friend.

Postscript: This article is offered with the utmost respect for District Attorney Marian Ryan — a genuinely gracious presence. I’ve had the pleasure of crossing paths with her once or twice at the San Rock Festa, where she strolled through the crowd alongside former Police Chief Kevin Molis, greeting Maldonians like old friends.

—Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at Pe*****@*ol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.