LYNN — The Bishop Fenwick High School student accused in the March killing of a woman inside her Danvers home appeared remotely in Essex Superior Court on Monday for his arraignment and is expected to undergo a second competency evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.
Anthony DeMayo, of Lynn, was arrested in March after police said Janet Swallow, 68, was found stabbed to death following a break-in at her Danvers residence. Investigators said officers later found DeMayo walking along Standish Road in Lynn while carrying a blood-stained knife.
According to police, DeMayo allegedly admitted after his arrest that he planned the random attack and “wanted to kill someone for a long time.”
Swallow’s two sons watched the proceedings remotely during Monday’s hearing.
During the arraignment, Judge Salim Tabit entered not guilty pleas on DeMayo’s behalf to charges of murder and home invasion. The judge also ordered that DeMayo remain held without bail and without prejudice, allowing the issue of bail to be revisited in the future.
District Attorney Susan Dolan and Attorney David O’Sullivan represented the Commonwealth, while attorney Kevin Reddington appeared on behalf of DeMayo.
While reading the charges into the record, the court stated that on March 12, in Essex County, DeMayo “did assault and beat Jeanette Swallow, with intent to murder her by such assault and beating.” He also faces a separate home invasion charge.
Monday’s arraignment came weeks after a Salem District Court judge ruled that the 18-year-old was incompetent to stand trial and ordered him committed to Bridgewater State Hospital for treatment.
Prosecutors asked the Superior Court judge to authorize an independent competency evaluation in addition to the assessment already conducted by Bridgewater staff.
They argued the request was needed because the Superior Court indictment created a new docket, requiring another evaluation even though DeMayo is already being treated at Bridgewater.
“The Commonwealth filed a motion requesting an independent examination of the defendant’s competency to stand trial,” Dolan told the court.
Dolan said obtaining the court order immediately would allow prosecutors to begin sharing discovery materials with an independent expert and avoid delays in the case moving forward.
Reddington did not oppose the request, provided that legal protections related to competency examinations were included in the court order.
Tabit agreed and added the requested statutory language before approving the motion.
An Essex County grand jury indicted the Bishop Fenwick student on April 2 on charges of murder and home invasion.
Reddington previously said DeMayo is expected to remain at Bridgewater State Hospital for treatment for at least six months before undergoing another review.
The case is scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on May 29, though DeMayo is not expected to attend.
