Suspect In Lowell Shelter Murder Pleads Not Guilty
LOWELL (AP) -- The attorney for a Lowell teenager accused of stabbing a worker at the homeless shelter where he was staying says he is considering pursuing a "diminished capacity" defense for his client.
Nineteen-year-old Pericles Clergeau was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty at his Superior Court arraignment on Monday to first-degree murder in connection with the January death of 34-year-old Jose Roldan.
Defense attorney Michael Collora tells The Sun of Lowell that he will hire a forensic psychiatrist to try to prove the teen was mentally impaired at the time of the stabbing at the Lowell Transitional Living Center and should not be held criminally liable.
Collora says Clergeau is paranoid.
Prosecutors say Clergeau was arguing with another shelter worker when Roldan tried to calm the situation.
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