LEWISBURG — Stephanie Balliet discovered her life’s work amid one of the most difficult times in her young life.
Following an assault by a stranger at the age of 12 while attending a sleepover at a friend’s house, Balliet received services from Transitions PA during the ensuing three-year-long court case involving her alleged abuser.
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CONCORD, N.H. — Two men have been charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man in Derry in May.
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, New Hampshire State Police Col. Mark Hall and Derry Police Chief George Feole announced the arrests of Jeffrey Li, 18, and Marco Junior Marquez Vera, 20, on Monday.
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METHUEN — The city has followed up a “declaration of war” against human trafficking with the investigation of another business and the creation of a task force.
On Monday, city inspectors shut down Eastern Bodywork Therapy, which officials allege is a front for human trafficking. Mayor D.J. Beauregard, who had announced the crackdown on Sunday, said in a press release that the task force would hold both the perpetrators and landlords accountable.
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METHUEN — The manager of Beauty Garden Spa on Wallace Street is facing human trafficking charges after a lengthy police investigation.
Suping Zhu, 38, of Flushing, New York, is to be arraigned Monday in Lawrence District Court on charges that include deriving support from prostitution and trafficking person for sexual servitude.
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METHUEN — The manager of Beauty Garden Spa on Wallace Street is facing human trafficking charges after a lengthy police investigation.
Suping Zhu, 38, of Flushing, New York, is to be arraigned Monday in Lawrence District Court on charges that include deriving support from prostitution and trafficking person for sexual servitude.
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ANDOVER — A Maine man is accused of carrying out a violent home invasion along with an assault in a downtown restaurant in incidents that occurred less than 12 hours apart over the weekend.
Roger Bolens, 25, of Augusta was arraigned in Lawrence District Court on charges of assault to murder, home invasion and assault and battery on a person over 60 resulting in serious injury. Separately, he faces an assault and battery charge from an alleged choking incident at Karma restaurant hours earlier.
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NEWBURYPORT — An Andover man was arrested Friday night in Rhode Island, hours after police say he attacked a 77-year-old man and stole his car.
David L. Agneta, 46, who is homeless but previously lived in Gloucester, faces several charges in Newburyport, including carjacking (two counts) and assault and battery on an elderly or disabled person.
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DANVERS — It was easy to feel the love Danvers has for Chris “Ducky” Anderson during a walk downtown Saturday morning.
A crowd of people made their way from Danvers Town Hall to Plains Park with messages of support for Anderson, a Danvers resident with special needs who was assaulted by a group of teenage boys in Plains Park on Oct. 12. Anderson himself stopped downtown Saturday and was cheered on by those showing support.
Meanwhile, Danvers police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Friday in connection with the attack, charging him with multiple counts of assault and battery.
“(Ducky) is the nicest human being,” said Beverly resident Brian Cotting, who organized Saturday’s event. “If he sees a stranger, he’s going to have a huge smile on his face and say, ‘Hey buddy.’ That’s just him.”
Cotting has known Anderson since they were students at North Shore Technical High School in the early 2000s and said he was devastated to hear about the attack.
“I’m doing this for Chris’ emotional support and to support his family,” Cotting said.
Cotting collected notes of support for Anderson during Saturday’s event. Danvers resident Leah Barnes has also collected hundreds of cards and gifts for Anderson since the incident.
They can be dropped off at Putnam Pantry through Saturday, Oct. 26, she said.
“It’s probably going to take him weeks to go through everything we’ve gotten,” Barnes said.
Anderson’s attack hit Barnes close to home. Not only is Anderson a close friend of her uncle, she also has a child with special needs.
“We want to let him know that there are more good people in the world than bad,” Barnes said. “It never should have happened to him and the whole community is here supporting him.”
These haven’t been the only ways Danvers has rallied around Anderson.
The hashtag #imwithducky and the phrase “Defend Ducky” are circulating local Facebook pages. The Fire Department visited Anderson last week. Twisted Fate Brewery is donating 10% of its proceeds Monday night to him and his family and multiple businesses are displaying blue pumpkins to show support.
Residents also spoke at a Select Board meeting last week calling for justice in the incident.
LAWRENCE — The suspect in a murder on Christmas Eve at the Energy Lounge nightclub has been captured, authorities said.
Franklin Laras, 27, who allegedly shot and killed Edward Javier Perez, 29, “is now in custody,” Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker announced Thursday night.
Laras now faces arraignment Friday in Salem Superior Court.
Details on Laras’ capture were not available Thursday night.
An arrest warrant charges Laras with murder and two counts of firearms violation with two prior violent or drug crimes.
Laras has been wanted by police since the shooting at Energy Lounge at 459 Broadway. He was placed on the state’s most wanted list.
At 12:20 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Lawrence police responded to the nightclub for reported gunfire.
Officers found Javier-Perez wounded. He was treated by Lawrence police and emergency medical technicians and taken to Lawrence General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Laras was identified as the suspect after an investigation by Lawrence police, state troopers and Tucker’s office.
Laras is alleged to have had an altercation with Javier-Perez shortly after entering the nightclub. Laras allegedly drew a handgun and fired a shot at Javier-Perez from close range, according to a previous state police release.
He then fled the scene.
Laras was considered armed and dangerous. He also has ties to Springfield and Palmer, Massachusetts, state police said.
Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter/X @EagleTribJill.
NORTH ANDOVER — Two people are dead following an incident Monday evening at a home at 201 Turnpike St. (Route 114), according to the District Attorney’s Office.
One person was reportedly found dead at the home while the second individual, who was seriously injured, died later at an area hospital, according to the office of District Attorney Paul Tucker.
Initial reports indicated the two people involved were a mother and a small child, possibly an infant, and that a stabbing occurred. The DA’s Office did not elaborate, saying only it was an “isolated incident” and there was no threat to the public.
The DA’s Office announced the first death shortly before 7 p.m. while the second was not announced until close to 9 p.m. The office also said no further information would be released until further notice as the incident continued to be investigated.
Police, firefighters and ambulance personnel first responded to the home about 5:15 p.m.
There was no immediate arrest or search for a suspect, and police blocked off Turnpike Street. The intersection of Turnpike Street and Route 133 to the Bertucci’s intersection was blocked off as authorities continued to investigate.
State troopers and a crime scene services processing and evidence collection team were called to the home along with investigators from the District Attorney’s Office.
Officers from Andover, North Andover and Massachusetts State Police responded, lining the busy route during rush hour traffic. An ambulance arrived at the home about 7 p.m.
Police stretched caution tape around the front lawn and two white cars, one of which was parked across the lawn near the front door. Red tape crime scene was later stretched across the parking lot to the left of the house.
Police gathered in the street while family members waited near the garage toward the rear of the house. The home’s front door was wide open.
More relatives began arriving at 6 p.m. and throughout the hour. Family members were later brought to another location. A woman could be heard crying and screaming hysterically outside the home.
A North Andover fire ladder truck blocked the front of the house. Crowds tried to make sense of what was happening across the street, waiting outside Burger King’s parking lot.
Police began to move people farther back into the parking lot, asking them to show respect for the people involved.
Officers at the scene declined comment and said a statement would be released later. Authorities asked the public to stay away from the area as they investigated.
201 Turnpike St. is a seven-room, three-bedroom home that last sold in November 2022, according to town assessing records. The owner is listed as 201 Turnpike Street LLC.
This is a developing story. Check back at eagletribune.com for updates.
By Jill Harmacinski and Angelina Berube | Staff Writers
NORTH ANDOVER — A mother and a small child, possibly an infant, were critically injured in a stabbing Monday evening at a home at 201 Turnpike St. (Route 114)
Police, firefighters and ambulance personnel responded to the home about 5:15 p.m.
Initial police scanner reports indicated two people were hurt and the injuries were life threatening.
There was no immediate arrest or search for a suspect, and police blocked off Turnpike Street.
State troopers and a crime scene services processing and evidence collection team were called to the home along with investigators from District Attorney Paul Tucker’s office.
Officers from Andover, North Andover and Massachusetts State Police responded, lining the busy route during rush hour traffic.
Police set up caution tape around the front lawn and two white cars, one of which was parked across the lawn near the front door.
Police gathered in the street while family members waited near the garage toward the rear of the house. The home’s front door was open.
Officers at the scene declined comment and said a statement would be released later.
The incident backed up traffic near Bertucci’s and the Panera plaza.
This is a developing story. Check back to eagletribune.com for updates.
By Jill Harmacinski and Angelina Berube | Staff Writers
SHARON, Pa. — A western Pennsylvania man is charged with homicide following the death and dismemberment of a transgender teenager.
Dashawn Dale Depree Watkins, 29, of Sharon, Pa., was charged Wednesday with murder in the first degree, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence following the death of Pauly Likens.
Pamela Ladner, director of the Shenango Valley LGBTQIA+ Alliance in Sharon said she has spoken to Likens’ mother, Jennifer, and she confirmed that Likens identified as a transgender girl.
Likens was murdered June 23 near a canoe launch in downtown Sharon, police said.
Mercer County District Attorney Peter C. Acker said he does not plan to charge Watkins with a hate crime. Acker said this is one of the worst homicide cases he’s ever seen in his 46 years as a lawyer.
“I’ve gotten several questions about whether or not we’re investigating this as a hate crime,” Acker said. “The answer is no because the defendant is an admitted homosexual and the victim was transitioning.”
Likens was reported missing June 25. Her father said she planned to spend the night at a friend’s house on June 22. About 2:30 a.m. on June 23, Likens posted an image on Snapchat of a dark road and said she was out for a late-night walk to clear her mind and she was not heard from after that.
On June 25, Hermitage police responded to a report of dismembered human remains at Shenango River Lake. Over the next week, more remains were recovered around the lake.
Mercer County Coroner John A. Libonati confirmed the remains to be Likens. Upon completion of an autopsy for some of the recovered remains the coroner’s office ruled Likens’ cause of death to be sharp force trauma to the head with the manner of death as homicide. Acker said authorities have not yet all of Likens’ remains.
Surveillance video from June 23 in the area of the canoe launch shows a vehicle entering and exiting the canoe launch when Likens’ phone last connected with cellular towers in the area. Video images later show the vehicle turning toward the apartment building where Watkins lives. After the vehicle leaves the canoe launch, the victim is not seen leaving the area, police said.
Police also watched video surveillance from inside Watkins’ apartment complex in the early morning of June 23. The surveillance shows Watkins carrying a large duffle bag out of the apartment just before Likens’ last known phone activity. The video shows Watkins taking this duffle bag with him to make initial contact with Likens on June 23. At that time, the bag appeared to be empty.
Watkins returns 20 to 25 minutes later carrying the duffle bag, which then appears to be heavy and awkward, into the first floor of the apartment building, police said.
State troopers detained Watkins on July 2. According to the criminal complaint, Watkins told police he used the Grindr app to arrange a meet-up with someone.
In the interview, Watkins said he did not previously know the person he met. Watkins explained the bag by telling police that he took a large bag from his car which had been there from a vacation from about a month ago.
Police executed search warrants on the entryway of 335 Sterling Ave. and of Watkins’ apartment. Preliminary tests indicated that there was blood in the hallway and inside the apartment at multiple locations including the bathroom and under the bathroom flooring. A receipt from June 23 indicated that Watkins purchased a saw with exchangeable blades, which was found in the apartment.
BEVERLY — A man who was serving a life sentence for a 1987 execution-style murder in Salem has been granted parole, despite the objections of the victim’s family and the Essex District Attorney’s office.
Charles “Chucky” Doucette, who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Raymond Bufalino, was granted parole by the state parole board on May 13.
Doucette, who is now 64, shot Bufalino twice in the head as they were sitting in Bufalino’s car near Harmony Grove Cemetery on the Salem-Peabody line in 1987. He was also convicted of two violent home invasions while on bail awaiting trial, and was arrested when he was out on parole on two previous occasions.
In its unanimous decision, the parole board said Doucette “has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.”
In testimony before the parole board in March, Bufalino’s wife, Shauna O’Sullivan, pleaded with the board not to release Doucette.
“With his tendency for violence I fear that he will reoffend,” she said in a video of the hearing. “I would hate to hear of another person having to live through the anguish and emotional turmoil that I went through. I believe he made his choice all those years ago and that he should be held accountable for his crimes.”
O’Sullivan said her son was 9½ months old at the time his father was murdered.
“I’m not angry or bitter,” she told the board. “I’m past that now, some 38 years later.
“I feel I owe it to my husband’s memory to say something.”
Bufalino’s sister and brother also spoke against giving Doucette parole. In a statement read by a victim service advocate at the parole hearing, Suzanne Maynard and Anthony Bufalino called Doucette a “menace to society and a true threat to society.
“Look at what happened the first time he got paroled,” they said. “Nothing but trouble. So tell me, since being back in prison has he changed? I doubt it.”
Essex County Assistant District Attorney Kayla Burns also spoke against parole, saying Doucette has continued to minimize his culpability and deflect blame.
“He puts the blame on other people being in his life,” Burns said.
During the hearing, Doucette, who has lived in Beverly and Peabody, said he has changed in his years in prison thanks to counseling and programs on subjects such as domestic violence and anger management.
“I’ve always been bigger and stronger than most people. I always got my way through intimidation and being a total ass,” he told the parole board. “I’m not that person today. I have children. I have grandchildren. I have great-grandchildren. I don’t want them to make the mistakes I made. I want them to learn from the mistakes I made.”
Doucette’s mother and sister spoke in favor of his release. His sister, Kim Malick, said Doucette has remained close to her children, who are now in their 20s.
“He met my oldest daughter when she fit into the palm of his hand in prison,” Malik said. “I would love for him to have the opportunity to come home and see her.”
Doucette had been granted parole twice previously and was arrested both times — once on a rape charge that was later dropped, and another on a domestic assault charge of which he was acquitted — and sent back to prison.
In total, Doucette was serving seven life sentences for the murder, two counts of home invasion, two counts of armed robbery, and two counts of stealing by confining or putting a person in fear.
He was denied parole in his last three attempts before the board granted parole in May.
According to the board’s decision, Doucette has invested in his rehabilitation, including participating in domestic violence programs and counseling, and working and volunteering in the prison law library. “He has strong vocational skills and work ethic,” the board said.
Doucette has maintained stable relationships with his family and has been sober since 1990, according to the board.
He told the board he wanted to get his commercial driving license and move to Texas to be near his family.
Bufalino, of Salem, worked for Doucette’s father at a Salem gas station and was considering a lawsuit after getting injured while working. Doucette was also angry that Bufalino owed him money, according to the parole board’s statement of the case.
While seated together in Bufalino’s car, Doucette shot him once behind the right ear and once in the mouth. Bufalino’s body was found by his wife, who had gone to search for him. He was 30 years old.
At the hearing, Doucette apologized to Bufalino’s family. At one point he broke down crying when he said that his own daughter no longer talks to him.
“I know how bad it hurt me with my own daughter not being part of my life,” Doucette said. “I can’t put into words what I must have cost Ray’s family and his son especially.”
After gaining parole, Doucette was scheduled to be released to a long-term residential program. Conditions included a 10 p.m. curfew, electronic monitoring at the parole officer’s discretion, a substance abuse treatment plan, domestic violence counseling, counseling for intimate partner/co-dependence relations, and no contact with the victim’s family.
Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at pleighton@salemnews.com, or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.
Newlywed Pam Smart, then a 22-year-old media coordinator at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, New Hampshire, plots with her teenage students to have her husband, Gregg Smart, murdered. She has an affair with a student, William “Billy” Flynn of Seabrook, then 15, who shoots Gregg Smart in their Derry condominium.
1991
Pam Smart is convicted as an accomplice to first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole after a trial in Exeter, New Hampshire. The case gained international attention and was one of America’s first major cases involving a sexual affair between a school staff member and student. Flynn is later convicted of second-degree murder.
1992
Notable author Joyce Maynard writes the novel “To Die For” drawing from the Smart case.
1994
Pam Smart is transferred to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York to serve her life sentence.
1995
“To Die For” inspires a film of the same name, starring Nicole Kidman and Joaquin Phoenix.
2005
Pam Smart is denied her first request at a commutation hearing that year.
2010
In interviews, Smart says she never wanted Gregg killed and never asked anyone to do it.
2015
Flynn is freed after serving a 25-year prison sentence.
2019
N.H. Governor’s Council votes 4-0 against Smart’s request for a commutation hearing.
2022
Smart appeals to N.H. Supreme Court, which dismisses her petition a year later.
2024
In a video sent to WMUR TV, for the first time at age 56, Smart says she accepts responsibility for Gregg’s murder and asks to have an “honest conversation” with Gov. Chris Sununu and the Executive Council.
