Grafton Man Charged After Wife Found Murdered In Home

WESTBOROUGH (CBS) -- A Grafton man is accused of assault after his wife was found dead in their home.

Michael Sugarman appeared in Westborough District Court Thursday afternoon wearing a hospital gown.

Prosecutor Terry McLaughlin told the court Sugarman killed his wife then tried to take his own life before police showed up to his home.

The couple's 5-year-old daughter was found wandering in the street in her pajamas early Wednesday morning.

Grafton Police responded to a Worcester Street home around 6 a.m. Wednesday and found Kelly Sugarman, the girl's 36-year-old mother, strangled and beaten on the floor of the couple's bedroom.

It's unclear if the young girl witnessed the incident but, according to police, she had told responding officers "Mommy is sleeping, mommy is sick."

Michael Sugarman was on the floor with a knife sticking out of his neck.

"The couple had been facing severe financial difficulties, and that had been the source of arguments and fights between the two," McLaughlin told the court.

McLaughlin said Sugarman told police he was off his medications when the incident occurred.

Sugarman was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on April 21. His charges do not include murder, though attorneys in the case say that charge is likely to be added.

The girl is now in custody of the Department of Children and Families.