Prosecutors: Victim's Mom Heard "Screams" During Everett Stabbing

CHELSEA (CBS) - A 60-year-old man living in a transitional home in Chelsea has been charged with murder in connection with the brutal stabbing of 20-year-old Jessica Cormier of Everett.

Clarence Earl Berry was arraigned on the murder charges Monday in Malden District Court, where prosecutors said he had established some sort of relationship with Cormier.

According to prosecutors, Berry called the victim last week saying he wanted to meet with her. Then, inside the vestibule of Cormier's Pearl Street home, Berry allegedly stabbed the 20-year-old to death.

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.

"Her mother was upstairs," said Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Keeley, "and (heard) her screams, then the thud of a body hitting the door."

Police soon traced the calls on Cormier's phone to Berry's phone. Also, security camera video on nearby Main Street shows Berry near her home within an hour of the murder, police said.

Then, police found Berry's room at a transitional house in downtown Chelsea.

"A search warrant was obtained, and detectives found Berry's clothing, which had human blood on it," said Keeley.

It's still unclear what Cormier's exact relationship was with Berry, who worked at a party-supply store in Saugus called Brenner's.

Diane Brenner, the store's owner, said Monday that Cormier had endeared herself to the owners and employees.

"She was a slice of heaven," said Brenner, "and we're all lucky to have had her in our lives. We love her, and will miss her terribly."