Taunton, MA man faces homicide cost in girlfriend’s loss of life – NBC Boston

A person is being held with out bail after allegedly killing his girlfriend in Taunton, Massachusetts, on Thursday.

Matthew Cruz, 37, confronted a homicide cost in courtroom Friday over the loss of life of Bridgewater resident Shannon Smith, who was additionally 37. Prosecutors instructed the decide that proof from the scene belied Cruz’ account to police of what occurred at his dwelling, and that he has a historical past of home violence.

Smith was discovered unresponsive on the base of a staircase at a house on Allcot Circle shortly earlier than 1 p.m. Thursday, prosecutors mentioned. She was transported to Morton Hospital, the place she was pronounced lifeless.

In case you or somebody you realize is experiencing home violence, contact the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.

Cruz referred to as 911 to report Smith’s loss of life, a prosecutor with the Bristol County District Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned at his was arraigned Friday at Taunton District Court docket, the place a not responsible plea was entered on his behalf.

Shannon Smith of Bridgewater was discovered on the base of the steps of her boyfriend’s Taunton dwelling; Matthew Cruz was arrested on a homicide cost.

Smith appeared to officers on the scene to have been lifeless for a while, in response to the prosecution.

Cruz instructed officers that he and Smith had been in an on-and-off relationship for practically a yr, and that they’d argued over claims of infidelity early within the day, the prosecutor mentioned. He allegedly mentioned Smith had thrown herself down the steps after making suicidal statements, and that he tried giving her CPR earlier than calling for assist.

However investigators discovered organic proof on the high of the steps suggesting that the pair had fought on the high of the steps and persevering with down the steps. Smith’s physique additionally had obvious rug burn, suggesting she might have been dragged down the steps, the prosecutor mentioned.

Cruz was arrested on an assault and battery cost at that time. On the station, he allegedly confessed to preventing with Smith all the best way down the steps, resulting in her loss of life.

They’d woken up about 11:30 a.m. and talked about Smith’s infidelity, Cruz allegedly instructed officers. He pushed her from behind as she walked to the lavatory, resulting in a shoving match down a part of the steps, the prosecutor mentioned.

Cruz put Smith in a chokehold they usually fell down the steps collectively. He instructed officers let her go after she went limp and stopped preventing again, and after figuring out that she wasn’t pranking him, he referred to as for assist, the prosecutor recounted.

However she mentioned that account wasn’t in step with proof from Smith’s physique — investigators consider she was unconscious earlier than being dragged down the steps, probably head-first.

Cruz has beforehand been convicted of assault and battery earlier than, and his mom and ex-wife have beforehand taken out restraining orders towards him, the prosecutor mentioned. She moved to have his bail revoked in one other matter, out of Brockton District Court docket, during which he allegedly pushed his 75-year-old father to the bottom.

The decide ordered he be held with out bail — a protection legal professional for Cruz did not oppose it.