SALEM, MA — A Salem man accused in the killing of a woman whose body was found during a wellness check of a Cabot Street home last week pleaded not guilty to murder charges and was held without bail in Salem District Court on Wednesday.
The Essex County District Attorney's Office said Paul Morey, 50, who was located in Portsmouth, NH, the day after the body of Patricia Donaldson, 42, was found, was held without bail pending a probable cause hearing on Oct. 16.
Salem police said they responded to a well-being check at the Cabot Street home on Sept. 8 and found Donaldson's body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said Morey was located in Portsmouth the next day and arraigned on a fugitive from justice charge in New Hampshire's 10th Circuit District Division of Portsmouth.
Morey appeared via video conference and was appointed counsel. He was ordered held without bail as the Essex DA's Office made plans to extradite him to Massachusetts on the murder charge.
Hon. Randy Chapman ordered Morey held without bail, without prejudice.
Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Stanbro represented the Commonwealth at Wednesday's hearing.
Morey was represented by attorney Brian Kelley.
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