UPDATED: Michael Sugarman Charged With Wife's Murder

GRAFTON, MA — A man accused of killing his wife in their Grafton home is now being charged with murder, and held without bail, announced Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early.

Michael Sugarman was arraigned on charges of assault and battery on a family member last Thursday, a day after he allegedly killed his wife and stabbed himself in the neck, still clutching the knife when police arrived.

At Thursday's hearing, Assistant District Attorney Terry McLaughlin told the court that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had determined the cause of death to be homicide. He also told the court that the 5-year-old daughter saw the assault.

The couple's daughter was found walking on busy Route 140 in her pajamas, and led police to the family home around 6:11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13.

The couple was struggling with extreme financial difficulties, reported Fox 25 News last week, and Michael Sugarman was off mental health-related medication when the incident happened.

Sugarman's defense attorney told the Worcester Telegram and Gazette that Sugarman was a "happy-go-lucky-guy" and the sudden change indicates "severe mental illness."

Janice Bassil, Sugarman's lawyer, described her client as severely mentally ill, and "very confused," reports WCVB-TV.

On Thursday, after a brief hearing, Judge Vito A. Virzi ordered that a doctor evaluate the mental health of Sugarman and was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for further mental health evaluation. His case was continued to May 11, said officials.

Kelly Sugarman's parents, who spoke with NECN, said they are hoping to get custody of the couple's daughter, who is in the custody of the Department of Children and Families .

Photo Credit: WHDH-TV, Channel 7 News