Malden Musings ~

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 “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!