Nate Fujita Breaks Down As Uncle Testifies In Astley Murder Trial
WOBURN (CBS) - It was another difficult day for the relatives of 18-year-old Lauren Astley in court Thursday.
Detective Sgt. Jamie Berger recounted the moments he arrested Nate Fujita in July 2011 at his uncle's home in Framingham.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
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Berger said Fujita was sound asleep when Berger walked into the room and said he did not resist arrest.
"When we turned the light on, he arose from his sleep," said Sgt. Berger. "I explained to him he was under arrest for murder. He stood up. I asked him to put his hands behind his back."
He told the jury "a lot of people were looking for Fujita" after Astley's body was found.
Framingham Police alerted Wayland Police that Fujita was staying with his uncle, Phil Saba.
As Saba took the stand Thursday morning, the usually stoic Fujita broke down in tears. His uncle told the jury his nephew was depressed but seemed happy at a barbecue the same night Astley was murdered.
"Nothing unusual," said Saba about Fujita's behavior that day. "I believe most of the time he spent watching TV in the living room."
Fujita's uncle is expected to continue with more testimony Friday.
Earlier Thursday, Astley's mother wept quietly in the courtroom as Wayland Detective Christopher Cohen testified about the discovery of her daughter's body in a marshy area near Wayland Town Beach.
Detectives testified Astley's car keys, attached to an Elon University lanyard, were found in a storm drain nearby the scene.
Astley was planning on going to that university in the fall.
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager contributed to this report.
