The Newton man accused of killing three people inside a Nonantum home is not competent to stand trial as of now, a judge ruled on Monday.
The triple homicide suspect, 41-year-old man Christopher Ferguson, will remain at Bridgewater State Hospital. Judge Jennifer Queally made the incompetency ruling after Ferguson’s recent medical evaluation.
“The defendant was found incompetent at this time,” a spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
“The next date is October 10 but he will likely be indicted before that,” the DA’s spokesperson added.
Ferguson has been charged in connection with the deaths of Gilda D’Amore, 73, her husband Bruno D’Amore, 74, and Gilda’s mother, Lucia Arpino, 97.
Ferguson in late June allegedly attacked the family inside their Broadway Street home in Newton. It was apparently a random attack, police said.
On a Sunday at around 10:14 a.m., a person known to the victims called 911 to report that they were dead inside the home. She had gone to check on the victims after they did not arrive at church to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Police at the scene saw signs of forced entry, including broken glass and missing screens at the basement windows. Forensic specialists were able to collect a variety of evidence.
As part of the investigation, police canvassed the neighborhood and were able to find a video from Albemarle Road that showed a man walking in that area near the victim’s home at 5:20 a.m. That man was later identified as Ferguson.
Investigators were able to positively match a footprint left in the home to Ferguson. Footprints, like fingerprints, are unique.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death for Gilda to be multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma; Bruno died from multiple sharp and blunt force injuries; and Arpino died from sharp and blunt force injuries.
