LYNN — Anthony DeMayo, 18, of Lynn, pleaded not guilty for the murder of Danvers resident Janet Swallow, 69.
Though a resident of Lynn, DeMayo was a student at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, where he was finishing his senior year.
The school released a statement that it is “cooperating fully with local law enforcement in this investigation, which is ongoing…our thoughts and prayers are with the victim, her family, and all who have been affected by this horrific tragedy.”
Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker shared in a statement: “What I think is most striking here is the randomness of this, the fact that there was no connection that we can find between the defendant and the victim.”
He continued, “Oftentimes, there is some connection, and we can try to figure that out. But here… this was just so random, there was no connection, and to have the tragic and terrible results is something that we do not see very much of in long careers; many officers have probably never seen anything like this.”
“This was tragic for the family of Ms. Swallow and family and students at Bishop Fenwick. There was good police work done by Lynn police, Danvers police, state police, and the detectives assigned to my office,” he concluded.
The Danvers police also shared a statement from Chief Jamie Lovell where he expresses, “I want residents to know that the members of the Danvers Police Department feel that same shock and sadness. Many of us live here, raise our families here, and care deeply about this town.”
He added, “I am a Danvers resident as well, and like so many of you, I believe strongly that everyone should feel safe in their own neighborhood, especially in their own home.”
Thursday evening, Lynn PD received a 911 call reporting that a man on Standish Road was walking around with a knife. When officials made contact with DeMayo, they noticed the knife had a “reddish brown” stain, and DeMayo confessed that he killed a woman the night before.
Based on the investigation, DeMayo entered the home by climbing through a window and stabbed Swallow while she was in bed. There were no missing items from the home.
DeMayo’s Friday arraignment in Salem District Court was delayed until later that day to allow time for a clinical evaluation.
When asked by the judge if he was evaluated as planned, psychologist, Dr. Joyce Perrotta said she did not.
“I interviewed Mr. DeMayo for a little over an hour with counsel present, and I also spoke with family,” she stated
She explained that he presents depressive symptoms, including restricted affect, anhedonia, and suicidal ideation. Symptoms that she noted have existed for a time.
“Partial responsiveness on interview leaves open the question of possible psychotic process,” she stated. “He demonstrated adequate factual understanding of his charges, and the court process given his lack of previous experience in criminal court.”
She expressed to the court that she had concerns about his rational understanding and how that could potentially impact his current ability to make his legal decisions. She then recommended further evaluation of his confidence to stand on trial and criminal responsibility.
“That evaluation, in my opinion, needs to take place in a hospital, but further assessment of his mental state, given the nature of the alleged index offenses,…is a strict security of Bridgewater State Hospital.”
Prosecutors stated that “the Commonwealth is seeking the defendant be held without bail.”
“At this time, the Commonwealth has also filed a motion to impound the criminal application with the attached memorandum and signed affidavit that I could pass up now,” the prosecutor said.
“The defendant is going to be held without bail,” the judge said. “In addition, pursuant to chapter one,…as far as the evaluation is concerned, … the doctor has opined that the defendant needs additional evaluation, that she is having a strict security setting, and that at Bridgewater.”
She emphasized that the period would not exceed more than 20 days and DeMayo’s return date would be April 1st.
