Hospital Victim dies, Charge Upgraded to Murder

November 7, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236

Or 508-688-5565

WORCESTER — A Worcester man, who was attacked Tuesday in the psychiatric ward at UMass-Memorial Medical Center, has died. His assailant will be charged with murder, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

The victim, Ratna Bhattarai, 31, of Worcester, died early this morning at UMass.

Aldo Dunphe, 23 of 10 Irving St., Spencer will be arraigned tomorrow on a murder charge in Central District Court. Dunphe was arrested Tuesday and arraigned Wednesday on charges related to the attack. He is being held without bail at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction. A dangerousness hearing scheduled for tomorrow will not be held in lieu of his arraignment on the murder charge.

Former Barre Tax Collector Indicted

October 25, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236

Or 508-688-5565

WORCESTER — The Worcester County Grand Jury handed up indictments yesterday against a former Barre tax collector who is accused of stealing more than $300,000 in public funds, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. announced today.

Marcia Langelier, 61, of 732 Wheelwright Road, Barre was indicted on charges of larceny over $250 by a common scheme; fraud/embezzlement by a city, town or county officer; and making false entries in corporate books.

Ms. Langelier is accused of stealing more than $300,000 in public funds between January 1, 2005 and July 31, 2011 while acting as the elected tax collector for the town of Barre.

She will be arraigned on the charges in Worcester Superior Court on October 31.

Former Northborough Police Officer Indicted

October 25, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236

Or 508-688-5565

WORCESTER — The Worcester County Grand Jury yesterday indicted a former Northborough police officer who is accused of stealing more than $25,000 from the local police union, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr

Nathan W.S. Fiske Sr., 33, of Apt. 2, 318 Holden St., Holden was indicted on a charge of larceny over $250 by common scheme. Fiske is accused of stealing $25,355 from the Northborough Police Patrolman’s Union between December 17, 2009 and March 14, 2013.

Fiske will be arraigned in Worcester Superior Court on November 6.

Joseph and Linda Mayotte Sentenced to Prison

Sept. 23, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241 or (508) 735-2981

WORCESTER — Husband and wife Joseph and Linda Mayotte of Northbridge were each sentenced to State Prison today after being found guilty last month of raping their two adopted children, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

“These children came here to live the American dream, but their trust was broken by these two predators,” Mr. Early said. “Now, justice has been served.”

Mr. Mayotte, 50, was sentenced to 16 to 20 years in prison by Judge Richard T. Tucker after being found guilty by a Superior Court jury of 11 charges, including rape of a child aggravated by age difference. He had sexually abused his daughter over a five-year span, starting in 2004 when she was 8 years old.

Mrs. Mayotte, 49, received a sentence of 18-22 years. The jury found her guilty of 19 charges, including three counts of rape of a child. She had a sexual relationship with her son starting when he was 13 in 2005 and ending two years later when she became pregnant with his child.

Assistant District Attorney Cheryl O’Connell Riddle recommended sentences of 25-30 years for Mr. Mayotte and 30-33 years for Mrs. Mayotte.

The Mayottes were arrested in 2009.

Mr. Early praised the work Assistant District Attorneys Riddle and Kristen Salavatore as well as that of Northbridge Police.

DA Early Urges Drivers to Put Down Phones

Aug. 22, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241

WORCESTER — As new school year is about to begin, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. is warning young drivers not to text behind the wheel.

“Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teen-agers, and drivers are 23 times more likely to get into an accident if they are texting,” Mr. Early said.

It has been illegal to text and drive for all operators in Massachusetts since 2010. Drivers under 18 are banned from using cell phones, including hands-free devices.

Mr. Early said that while cars have become safer and the number of highway fatalities has declined over the last four decades, serious crashes continue.

“Many of these crashes could be avoided by putting the cell phone out of reach,” Mr. Early said. “A driver pecking out a short text at 60 mph can travel the length of a football field with their eyes off the road. It’s like driving for five seconds with your eyes closed.”

Mr. Early said all forms of distracted driving are dangerous, but what makes texting particularly hazardous is that it takes the drivers hands off the wheel, eyes off the road and mind off the task at hand.

Mr. Early’s message is particularly important with school starting because there will be more vehicles on the road, including school buses, and increased pedestrian traffic.

The District Attorney has made the battle against distracted driving a priority, putting on presentations at schools and before other groups throughout WorcesterCounty. Those presentations are ongoing.

Man charged with Murder in Fatal Hit-and-Run

August 16, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tim Connolly (508) 368-7236 or 508-688-5565

LEOMINSTER –A city man, charged with murder in a hit-and-run killing near Lake Whalom, was ordered held without bail at his arraignment today in Leominster District Court, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of Matthew S. Padovano, 33, of 6 McKinley St. Judge Maura K. McCarthy continued the case to Sept. 16.

Mr. Padovano is charged in the Aug. 3 death of David M. Szafarowicz, 33, of Oxford Street, Auburn. Assistant District Attorney Lisa Casella told the court that Mr. Padovano ran over Mr. Szafarowicz in his Jeep Commander after the two men were part of large melee inside the Captain’s Lounge, 1536 Main St. The victim was pronounced dead in the street.

Mr. Padovano did not stop after running over Mr. Szafarowicz and then hid the vehicle.

Fitchburg Man Shot and Killed

August 3, 2013
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236
Or 508-688-5565

FITCHBURG — A city man was shot and killed early this morning at Forest and Charles streets, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Shaun Hibbard, 33, of 30 Hobson St. was pronounced dead at Leominster Hospital shortly after 4 a.m. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has accepted the case and will perform an autopsy.

Mr. Hibbard and his assailant had a confrontation near Mr. Hibbard’s car that was parked at Forest and Charles streets. Several shots were fired and Mr. Hibbard was hit by at least one shot. He ran up Forest Street knocking on several neighbors’ doors before collapsing. Several 911 calls were made to police to report gunshots.

Investigators do not believe this was a random shooting. There have been no arrests in the case.

State Police Detectives assigned to Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and Fitchburg Police detectives are investigating. State Police Crime Scene Services, Ballistics, State Police patrols assigned to Troop C and the state Fire Marshal’s Office have assisted the investigation. No other information will be released at this time.

Driver Sought after Fatal Hit-and-Run

August 3, 2013
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tim Connolly (508) 368-7236 or 508-688-5565

LEOMINSTER — State and local police detectives are looking for the driver of a dark-colored Jeep Commander that sped away from the shore of Lake Whalom after striking and killing a man earlier today, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

David M. Szafarowicz, 33, of 2 Oxford Street, Auburn was pronounced dead in the street in front of the Captain’s Lounge, 1536 Main St. He was struck at about 1 a.m. by the SUV after a fight involving several patrons inside the bar. The driver was in the fight. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has accepted the case.

Investigators are looking for the driver of the dark-colored Jeep Commander or similar vehicle. Anyone with information about that vehicle or the driver are asked to contact the State Police Detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office at 508-832-9124.

Two Arrests in Connection with Fitchburg Murder

FITCHBURG — Two people, sought in connection with the murder of Luis R. Rodriguez in Fitchburg, have been arrested on fugitive warrants in Richmond, Va., according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Dax A. Gibson, 36, of 365 Elm St., apartment 24, Gardner and Ashley Fruguglietti, 25, of the same address were apprehended without incident yesterday morning at a home in Richmond. The couple had fled Massachusetts with their infant son. Virginia social services took custody of the baby.

“This is a great example of cooperative police work,” Mr. Early said. “We were able to capture the fugitives with a lot of help from several law enforcement agencies. No one was injured. We had been very concerned about the baby, but the baby is safe.”

Mr. Gibson is facing charges of murder, home invasion and armed assault in a dwelling. Ms. Fruguglietti was indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury on July 11 and faces charges of accessory after the fact of murder and misleading a police investigation.

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A third suspect in the case, Dinkue Brown, 27, of 33 Adams St., apartment 6, Fitchburg, is still at large. He also faces charges of murder, home invasion and armed assault in a dwelling

Mr. Rodriguez, 26, of 82 Marshall St., Fitchburg was found about 2 p.m. June 21 bleeding on a neighbor’s porch. He was taken to Leominster Hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later. Investigators believe he was attacked at home and fled to 68 Marshall St., where he was found. They do not believe the attack was random.

Mr. Gibson and Ms. Fruguglietti are being held without bail on fugitive from justice charges. They have waived their right to contest rendition and will be brought back to Worcester County soon to be arraigned on the Massachusetts charges.

The State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office are in charge of the investigation. They have been assisted by other state police units, Fitchburg Police, Virginia State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service. A State Police Detective assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and a Fitchburg Police Detective traveled to Virginia as part of the investigation.

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Two Men Wanted for Murder

July 8, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241

FITCHBURG — Arrest warrants have been issued for two men in connection with the murder of Luis R. Rodriguez in Fitchburg, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Wanted for murder, home invasion and armed assault in a dwelling are: Dinkue Brown, 27, of 33 Adams St., apartment 6, Fitchburg; and Dax A. Gibson, 36, of 365 Elm St., apartment 24, Gardner.

Mr. Rodriguez, 26, of 82 Marshall St., Fitchburg was found about 2 p.m. June 21 bleeding on a neighbor’s porch. He was taken to LeominsterHospital and was pronounced dead a short time later.

Investigators believe he was attacked at home and fled to 68 Marshall St., where he was found. They do not believe the attack was random.

The death is being investigated by Fitchburg Police and State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information on the location of the two suspects should call the State Police Detectives (508 832-9124) or Fitchburg Police Detectives (978 345-9650, ext 245).