Lynnfield mystery open on three fronts

LYNNFIELD – Robert Harris, husband of Lynnfield veterinarian Joan Baruffaldi who purportedly committed suicide in the U.S. Virgin Islands earlier this month, was expected today to ask a Middlesex Superior Court judge to dismiss the wrongful death suit brought against him by his wife’s family.Harris told authorities on St. John island that his wife hanged herself from the curtain rod in the bathroom of their suite at the Westin resort. An autopsy conducted in the Caribbean indicated the death was a suicide.The mystery death has taken several turns in the past week. On Tuesday, Essex Probate Judge Mary Anne Sahagian appointed Harris temporary co-executor of his wife’s estate, along with Melrose lawyer Tamara Kolz who often handled Baruffaldi’s legal matters.Boston attorney Donald McNamee said having Harris oversee his wife’s estate was unacceptable, considering the cause of death is under question and an investigation by the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department still under way. McNamee said his interviews with Baruffaldi family members, hotel security and police in St. Thomas convinced him Harris murdered the woman.McNamee succeeded in halting Harris from having his wife’s body cremated, which would destroy any potential remaining evidence. On Wednesday, after listening to McNamee’s argument, Essex Probate and Family Court Judge John Cronin vacated the order that made Harris and Kolz co-executors of Baruffaldi’s estate.The judge then named the victim’s sister, Mary Elizabeth Baruffaldi of North Andover, as temporary executrix and appointed Boston attorney David Eppley as special administrator of Baruffaldi’s will and authorized him to demand a second autopsy if he deems it appropriate.Documents on file at the probate court indicate Baruffaldi’s will bequeathed $3 million in real estate to Harris, as well as a personal estate worth at least $100,000. Mary Elizabeth Baruffaldi told The Item this week that her sister bought Harris a boat, a new Cadillac and a home in Kennebunkport, Maine.Today, defense lawyer Kevin Reddington, representing Harris, will ask Middlesex Superior Court Judge Garry Inge to toss out the wrongful death lawsuit. McNamee is expected to continue his petition for a second autopsy.According to McNamee, if allowed by the court, the second autopsy would be performed by Dr. Michael Bader, former chief medical examiner for the city of New York, present chief forensic examiner for the New York State Police, and a consultant on forensics to the FBI.Harris, 47, and Baruffaldi, 45, were in the throes of a marital breakup when she died. On Oct. 2, she sought a restraining order against him, citing physical and sexual abuse and fear of her life. Lynnfield police removed Harris from the 29 Robin Road home. The search warrant noted that Harris twice raped Baruffaldi while she was medicated as a result of neck surgery.The couple argued en route to the Caribbean, mostly over a series of emails Baruffaldi intercepted that unveiled a romantic affair between Harris and a co-worker at IBM. Baruffaldi vowed to divorce him as recently as the day of their departure, according to the woman’s sister.Mary Elizabeth Baruffaldi said Harris phoned her twice in the wee hours of Nov. 4 to say her sister tried to commit suicide and was “in bad shape.” The couple had arrived on St. John on Nov. 3 at approximately 6 p.m. The first of the two phone calls were made about nine hours later. Baruffaldi died in an island hospital on Nov. 5 without regaining consciousness.The victim’s body has been held at the George Doherty Funeral Home in Somerville while the case unfolds.