BOSTON — A lawyer for a Massachusetts woman accused of helping dispose of her 2-year-old daughter’s body has asked a judge to dismiss the charges or move the trial.
Rachelle Bond is charged as an accessory after the fact in the 2015 killing of her daughter, Bella Bond.
Bond’s former boyfriend, Michael McCarthy, is charged with murder.
In court Tuesday, Bond’s attorney said Bond didn’t willingly participate in the disposal of her daughter’s body.
A composite image of the girl was shared by millions on social media after her body washed up on a Boston Harbor island and she was identified only as Baby Doe.
Bond’s lawyer says the trial should be moved to western Massachusetts because of intense media attention the case received in Boston.
The judge didn’t immediately rule.
SOUTHBRIDGE — A Massachusetts woman’s service dog that was missing for nearly three weeks after its owner was involved in a car crash has been found.
Arthas was found on Saturday in West Brookfield, several miles from the site of the Dec. 29 crash in Southbridge.
West Brookfield Officer Matthew Letendre said he got a call from a woman in town who recognized Arthas from pictures posted on social media.
The dog was scared but the woman grabbed him and he eventually got into the police cruiser.
Arthas was taken to a veterinary clinic and reunited with owner Charlene Fafard.
Fafard is training the dog to assist with her autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. She says Arthas is a little thin but is doing well.
CHICOPEE — Chicopee police have arrested a suspect in a pair of armed convenience store robberies.
Police say 36-year-old William Welch, of Westfield, is charged with two counts of armed robbery in connection with the robberies Monday just hours apart.
The first robbery occurred at about 9:30 a.m. at the Honeyland Farms store. The suspect showed a gun stole some merchandise and fled.
Police say it appears the same man robbed the Stop and Go Mart at about 3 p.m. Again, he showed a gun and fled with merchandise. In surveillance video he is seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses.
No one was hurt in either robbery.
Police posted surveillance images online, which led to tips.
Welch is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.
GLOUCESTER — Gloucester officials are warning residents to be careful after a coyote attacked a resident’s dog.
Sarah Olsen had left her leashed dog in her backyard to relieve itself Sunday night when the coyote attacked.
Olsen and her daughter retreated to their car when the coyote turned on them.
Gloucester’s animal control officer euthanized her 25-pound poodle.
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken says there have been several coyote sightings in the city and thinks human contact in the woods is making the animals more comfortable around people.
The mayor continues to meet with the city’s interim police chief to discuss solutions, but added that the state ultimately has to act.
WORCESTER — A Worcester man faces human trafficking and rape charges after police say he paid $5,000 to smuggle a 14-year-old girl into the country, held her captive and sexually assaulted her.
Officials say 22-year-old Luis Santos will be arraigned on Tuesday following his arrest last week. It’s unclear if Santos has an attorney.
Police say the girl apparently began talking with Santos on Facebook from El Salvador. She arrived in Worcester last month.
Police say she was forced to live in Santos’ apartment and share his bed. The girl accused Santos of touching her on multiple occasions.
Police say she was locked in a room and wasn’t allowed to use a phone or attend school most of the time.
From Associated Press