Trial of Marblehead massage therapist in stabbing death delayed to January

SALEM – The trial of a Marblehead massage therapist charged with repeatedly stabbing his nine-month pregnant girlfriend in her Salem apartment in 2009 has been delayed until the end of January.In Salem Superior Court earlier this week, David J. Nathanson, defense lawyer for accused murderer Peter S. Ronchi, asked for the continuance until Jan. 30. He told Judge John T. Lu that he was exploring to have a “blood stain” analysis done and that will take some time to complete before the trial. Lu agreed to continue the trial. The trial had been scheduled for Nov. 30.Ronchi, 47, who last lived at 10 Taft St., Marblehead, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the May 16, 2009 stabbing death of his 42-year-old girlfriend, Yuliya Galperina, and her unborn son.Galperini was stabbed more than 15 times inside her apartment #512B at the Salem Heights Apartment complex on Pope Street in Salem.Her body was found by her two older children that morning when they awoke.Investigators reportedly have complex video showing that Ronchi brought a 6-inch hunting knife to the apartment complex and left in different clothing.Following the incident, Ronchi reportedly went back to his Taft Street home and then drove to Norwalk, Conn., where he eventually turned himself in to police and allegedly made a series of incriminating statements about the incident.Assistant District Attorney Jean M. Curran said earlier she expects to pursue a premeditated theory with both extreme atrocity and cruelty.The defense is still waiting on a bill of particulars from the commonwealth which gives explicit information as to the time, manner and means of the crime.The next scheduled court date is Oct. 12.In the meantime, Ronchi, who has pleaded innocent remains held at the Middleton Jail on no bail until the disposition of his case.