Watch CBS News

Alemany Held On $3 Million For Non-Fatal Attacks

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — The suspect in the slaying of a South Boston woman was ordered held on $3 million cash bail in two other attacks on women.

Edwin Alemany appeared in South Boston District Court Wednesday for his arraignment in the non-fatal attacks that authorities say occurred July 23 and July 24.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports

Alemany Held On $3 Million For Non-Fatal Attacks

Alemany's lawyer Jeffrey Denner did not argue the prosecution's request for high bail.

"His family knew he had serious psychiatric problems for a long period of time. I think it's harder to find the resources to deal with him. These are very difficult times, underfunded times, and the resources we would like to have in place aren't always available," Denner said.

He was arrested on July 24, but at his first court appearance the next day was sent for a mental health evaluation. While there, prosecutors approved a warrant charging him with murder in the July 23 stabbing death of Amy Lord, whose body was found at Stony Brook Reservation in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Prosecutors say in the July 23 attack, Alemany punched a woman in the face and dragged her by the legs into a parking lot.

He told the woman he was going to kill her but then let her go, telling her he had the wrong person.

On July 24, Alemany allegedly rushed up to a woman and stabbed her multiple times in torso, face and neck as she was entering her apartment.

Prosecutors said Wednesday they could not get into the details of Amy Lord's murder because the cases are "inextricably linked."

He is expected to face arraignment in Lord's death on Thursday in West Roxbury District Court.

Denner has said his client has severe mental health issues.

"This is somebody with a long, long history of mental illness. There is an issue here as to whether the system functioned in a way that protected him and protected the public," Denner said. "There is a real disconnect between his behavior and his best intentions and the way he was brought up and raised. That disconnect is probably best explained and defined by the incredible series of mental illness, starting at a very early age, that has been well documented."

Many of Alemany's family members were in court during Wednesday's arraignment.

"This is not somebody who was a member of variety gangs. This is not somebody who made a life of criminal behavior. This is somebody from a wonderful family who is basically here in mass to support him," Denner said.

Alemany will be back in court Nov. 13 for a hearing on the non-fatal attacks.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.