Cape Cod Man Who Burned Mom's Body Denied From Mental Hospital: DA

TRURO, MA — Adam Howe, the Cape Cod man charged with murder in his mother's killing over the weekend, was denied access to the state's mental hospital before his in-custody death in a New Bedford jail cell, the District Attorney's Office said.

Speaking with the Boston Herald, Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe said "Bridgewater (State Hospital) refused to take Mr. Howe saying they didn’t take Section 12 commitments. They would only take someone committed under Section 18," according to the report.

The difference, according to Massachusetts state law, between the two statutes is who recommends that a person should be examined or admitted to a state mental health institution. A Section 12 recommendation comes from a physician while a Section 18 recommendation comes from the person "in charge of any place of detention within the commonwealth."

Howe was arrested on Friday night by the Cape Cod Regional SWAT team after law enforcement officials found his mother's body burning on the front lawn of a Truro home.

Just days later, the Bristol County Sheriff's Office said Howe, 34, suffered what was called a medical emergency in his cell at the Ash Street Jail and was taken to St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead Sunday night.

The Herald reports that his death in custody is being investigated by the Bristol County Sheriff's Office.

Patch has reached out to the District Attorney's Office for comment, and will update this story as more information becomes available.