Stoughton Man Confessed To Killing Wife: Prosecution

STOUGHTON, MA — A Stoughton man accused of stabbing his wife to death and then making an apparent attempt to end his own life has been ordered held without bail. Ilton Rodriguez, 48, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder during his arraignment Monday at Boston Medical Center.

According to prosecutors, Rodriguez confessed to killing his wife, Telma Bras, 43, to officers Friday night, the Brockton Enterprise reported. Prosecutors said Rodriguez also sent his brother a voice mail after the incident, where he confessed to killing his wife and told his brother he was going to kill himself. Rodriguez's defense attorney said he'd have to wait before making any arguments due to a language barrier between himself and Rodriguez, who speaks Portuguese.

Just before midnight on Friday, police arrived at a Bennett Drive home after receiving a call from a relative who had been contacted by the couple's daughter. Police forced entry and found Bras dead of an apparent stabbing, according to Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey.
Rodriguez had injuries consistent with a suicide attempt, Morrissey said.

Police said Rodriguez does not have a known history of domestic violence, and their only interaction with him was for a minor motor vehicle infraction. The couple's two children – a 17-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son – were home at the time of the attack, Morrissey said.

Rodriguez's next court date is scheduled for June 10.