Vanessa Marcotte's Accused Killer Held Without Bail On Murder Charge
WORCESTER (CBS) -- The man accused of killing Vanessa Marcotte while she jogged in Princeton nearly a year ago was arraigned on a murder charge in Worcester Superior Court Wednesday.
Angelo Colon-Ortiz, 31, did not appear in court because of what his attorney called an "identification issue." He hid behind a door, listening to a Spanish translator through headphones.
He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.
Colon-Ortiz was arrested in April and after officials said his DNA matched the DNA taken from samples found on Marcotte's hands.
Marcotte, 27, was a Google employee living in New York City who had been visiting her parents in Princeton in August 2016.
She went out for a jog and didn't come back. Her body was later found partially undressed and battered off Brooks Station Road just a half mile from her mother's house.
Her family was in court and sitting in the front row during Colon-Ortiz's arraignment, but did not speak after.
Both sides agreed on having no bail option for Colon-Ortiz.
"He isn't in a position to make any bail," said defense attorney Ed Ryan. "If it was $10,000 he couldn't, so it's a moot point."
Ryan said his client isn't doing well.
"Its very difficult," he said. "He doesn't speak any English, he's never been involved in any court process at all, and he's quite nervous and frightened."
Last month, a grand jury indicted Colon-Ortiz for murder. He had already been charged with aggravated assault and battery and assault with attempt to rape in Leominster District Court, but those charges will be dismissed because of the more serious murder charge.
He's due back in court August 24.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports
