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Lowell

Trahan cleared by FEC regarding campaign finance complaints

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LOWELL — The Federal Election Commission has dismissed complaints against U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan’s use of campaign funds.

In a letter addressed to Trahan’s attorneys Jan. 26, the commission announced it had “no reason to believe” the Lori Trahan for Congress Committee violated campaign finance law when accepting loans from the representative’s husband David Trahan, nor when they failed to record when the loans were received, the source of those loans and the committee’s cash on hand in two quarterly reports.

The commission concluded its investigation Jan. 10.

Trahan, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, came under fire in 2019 when she admitted to using $300,000 of her husband’s earnings to fund her campaign the previous year during a contentious primary. While she, at first, denied the funds were not her own, she later revealed it was money shared by her and David Trahan through their joint bank account. She also reported to have borrowed $71,000 from a home equity loan.

The Democrat, who hails from Lowell, went on to beat challenger Dan Koh in the election by 145 votes.

The House Committee on Ethics cleared Trahan of such allegations in July 2020, when she was still a freshman in Congress.

Two additional complaints were filed with the FEC, which were left outstanding as the commission didn’t have a full quorum for long stretches of 2019 and 2020. There is now a quorum of six commissioners, composed of three Democrats and three Republicans, that requires a majority vote to dismiss.

In a statement, Trahan expressed her approval of the findings.

“I am pleased that bipartisan commissioners of the Federal Election Commission have confirmed – just as the bipartisan House Ethics Committee voted unanimously two years ago – that my campaign acted lawfully,” Trahan wrote. “Representing the district that I was born in, that I was raised in, and that I’m now raising my two young girls in is the honor of a lifetime, and I will continue to go to work every day to make our community and our Commonwealth a better place to call home.”

David Trahan is a local home builder and developer who disclosed, in a prenuptial agreement, 29 different assets, including several realty trusts, The Villages at Merrimac Landing LLC and Lowell Building Associates LLC. The prenup was used as evidence in the House Committee on Ethics’ ruling.

In 2018, spouses could not make more than $2,700 in donations, while candidates could — and still can — contribute an unlimited amount of their own funds.

More details on the findings will be available when related documents are publicly released within 30 days. Myles Martin, a public affairs specialist at the FEC, said that’s the commission’s policy when closing “an enforcement matter.”

Those documents, Martin said, could include commissioners’ reasoning behind their vote.

Admissions system used by local vocational schools under fire

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LOWELL — Two vocational technical high schools in Massachusetts are the target of a civil rights complaint regarding their admissions policies, which are practiced at nearly every other vocational school in the commonwealth.

The Vocational Education Justice Coalition — a collection of 20 civil rights groups, labor unions and community groups — filed a federal complaint Thursday with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights against the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state entity that establishes admissions guidelines at such schools.

The action takes aim at Montachusett Regional Vocational High School in Fitchburg and Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield for their use of a ranked admission system based on grades, attendance, recommendations and discipline.

All but two of the state’s 28 voc-tech schools use a similar ranking system. Marlboro’s Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School uses a lottery-based system, and Worcester Technical High School relies on a modified lottery, wherein applicants with 10 or fewer unexcused absences have the same chance of getting accepted.

At Greater Lowell Technical High School, 811 students of color applied for the 2022-2023 school year compared to 383 white students, according to admissions data. However, 64.5% of white students were accepted while just about 56% of students of color were offered admission, according to DESE.

That disparity is greater between low-income students and students who aren’t. A total of 715 financially disadvantaged students applied, 48% of whom were accepted. But 74.5% of their 479 wealthier peers who applied received an offer letter, according to that data.

Greater Lowell Tech Superintendent Jill Davis defended the school’s policies, stating they conduct blind admissions, offer tours and do not conduct interviews like other schools. The school uses criteria in a ranked admissions process including: attendance, grades, guidance recommendations and conduct.

When asked why there are particular disparities between certain demographics, as noted above, Davis said the data presented by the Vocational Education Justice Coalition is incomplete and should instead focus on the number of students enrolled.

For the current school year, Davis said 575 students enrolled, 378 of which are students of color and 197 who are white.

“We believe that our data and our student population is a diverse student population and it reflects our sending communities,” Davis said. “I think the real focus should be on that there are not enough seats to meet the demands for vocational education and we should be looking at other ways to expand the seats, or expand vocational technical education.”

Lisa Martinez, director of technology, enrollment and information at Greater Lowell Tech, said there are two times the school submits their admissions data, meaning there are “adjustments” that are made in the fall and errors that are corrected.

However, the numbers provided by the Vocational Education Justice Coalition and those on DESE’s website are exactly the same.

The data is also “skewed,” in part, due to COVID, Martinez said. The problem is that they can’t offer a spot for everyone — of the roughly 2,280 students currently enrolled, they have about 500 or so on the waitlist.

“We have limited seats, and we really make the best use of the resources we have and we try to make it as fair as possible for the students,” she said. “We have more students naturally applying and more kids applying than we can ever accommodate.”

Martinez said they can only speak on their own admissions policy, and neither she nor Davis commented on the complaint or other vocational schools.

Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in Billerica, on the other hand, admitted 100% of students who applied, though just 308 students of color were eligible to apply in the first place, compared to 1,073 white students.

The data is similar at Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford — while white students, students of color, financially disadvantaged students and non-disadvantaged students were all admitted roughly 80% of the time, 398 students of color were eligible to apply while 1,036 white students were.

For financially disadvantaged students, 255 could apply, but for students who are not classified as low-income, a total of 1,179 were eligible. That proportion is roughly equivalent for special education students versus non-special education students, according to the data.

Shawsheen Tech received 59 applications from students of color and 343 from white students for the current school year, according to that data, and about 80% of both groups, as well as about 84% of financially disadvantaged students and 79% of non-disadvantaged students, accepted the offer.

The complaint states that DESE allows voc-tech schools “to use admissions criteria that disproportionately and unjustifiably exclude students from protected classes.” That includes students of color, those with disabilities and English Language Learners. Four students, two from Chelsea and two from Gardner, are named in the complaint.

Low-income students are also considered a protected class.

Josue Castellon, a 16-year-old junior at Chelsea High School and youth peer leader at La Collaborativa, said at a State House press conference Thursday morning that he applied to Northeast Metro Tech, despite his counselor dissuading him to do so, and was denied. Castellon called the admissions process “completely biased” and one that fails to “reflect your value as a student.”

“Why is it that our futures are decided on middle school grades, discipline records, attendance and recommendations from people that may not even know us, instead of judging us purely on our show of potential and hard work and determination?” Castellon said. “This needs to change.”

Officials are recommending the use of a lottery system, which they deem more equitable, and are requesting the Board of Education in Massachusetts change the admission policy.

Steve Sharek, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators, wrote in a statement that vocational-technical schools can’t accommodate all of the students looking to attend — 6,000 students are currently on waiting lists for such programs, which enroll about 55,000 students.

The organization supports bills that would invest $3 billion to expand MAVA schools and construct new ones, he wrote, and they’re hoping to make those schools more accessible “to a more diverse population of students.”

“Nearly 97% of the regional vocational-technical and agricultural high schools in Massachusetts have made changes in their admissions policies, practices, or staffing (in the past two school years),” Sharek wrote. “We’re seeing improvement.”

To continue making said improvement, Sharek said MAVA needs time to analyze the impact of the changes in admissions and a bigger presence in middle schools to educate students on their educational offerings. The investment bills, filed by Sen. Paul Feeney, D-Foxborough, and Reps. Frank Moran, D-Lawrence, and Adam Scanlon, D-North Attleborough, would grant them “access to all students” in middle schools.

Shawsheen Tech and Nashoba Tech officials did not respond to a request for comment before this article’s publication.

The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation carrying on family’s giving back legacy

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LANCASTER — The Carr siblings are continuing their mission to do good in the community through the foundation they created in their late parents’ names as a way to carry on their giving back and selfless legacies.

Since they launched The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation, Inc. in 2019 the four siblings — BethAnne Arnold of Shirley, David Carr of Lancaster, Joseph Carr of Lowell, and Michelle Harris of Sterling — along with a legion of dedicated volunteers have packed and distributed 1,250 holiday food baskets to those in need in the greater region.

Lancaster residents Kristin Titus (left) and Emily Kerrigan were all smiles at the Leominster Eagles Club on Dec. 17 while helping to assemble the 600 Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation holidays baskets that were delivered last month to people in 21 towns and cities across Worcester and Middlesex counties. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)
Lancaster residents Kristin Titus (left) and Emily Kerrigan were all smiles at the Leominster Eagles Club on Dec. 17 while helping to assemble the 600 Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation holiday food baskets that were delivered last month to people in 21 towns and cities across Worcester and Middlesex counties. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)

“Like any siblings, we have our moments, but there isn’t anyone else I’d want to work alongside with our spouses and children,” David Carr said of his family and their altruistic efforts.

One hundred volunteers of all ages lent a helping hand at the Dec. 17 food baskets assembly at the Leominster Eagles Club and another 100 volunteers delivered the 600 baskets, which included a full turkey dinner with all the sides, to people in 21 towns and cities across Worcester and Middlesex counties — up from 350 baskets last year, 200 in 2020, the year they officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and 100 the first year.

Two hundred of the December baskets went to Clinton, Leominster and Fitchburg. On Dec. 18, 100 volunteers participated in assembling another 50 food baskets and delivered them across the Merrimack Valley out of Butler Middle School in Lowell.

“There are always some hiccups but generally speaking we’ve got it down to a science, and that is why we felt comfortable expanding to a second location this year in Lowell,” David Carr said of how this season’s efforts went, adding that their family grew up in Tewksbury so they “wanted an opportunity to expand in that area.”

The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation expanded its annual holiday food baskets outreach efforts this season to Lowell, where 100 volunteers assembled and delivered 50 baskets across the Merrimack Valley out of Butler Middle School last month. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)
The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation expanded its annual holiday food baskets outreach efforts this season to Lowell, where 100 volunteers assembled and delivered 50 baskets across the Merrimack Valley out of Butler Middle School last month. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)

Their father Joseph Carr started a similar food baskets program with the Medford Rotary Club more than 40 years ago that still operates today, “so there is some legacy in there for us,” he said of what inspires them.

“There are a half million people in Massachusetts that don’t know where their next meal is going to come from, including one out of every 11 children,” David Carr shared about some staggering statistics. “That resonates with each of us. More than half of the families in the U.S. live paycheck to paycheck. So many of us are one accident or diagnosis or job loss away from not being able to cover basic costs, so providing food allows folks to spend money in other areas.”

When asked what the reaction typically is from recipients of the food baskets, David Carr said that they were “overwhelmed by the responses this year,” which came via email, Facebook message, and mail.

“We received more this year than in all the other years combined,” he said. “We don’t do this for the reaction, but it sure is nice to hear we’re doing the right thing.”

Cassidy DiSalle of Princeton (left) and Jackson Harris of Sterling, the son of Carr sibling Michelle Harris, helped pack up the 600 Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation holidays baskets that were delivered in December to people in 21 towns and cities across Worcester and Middlesex counties. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)
Cassidy DiSalle of Princeton (left) and Jackson Harris of Sterling, the son of Carr sibling Michelle Harris, helped pack up the 600 Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation holiday food baskets that were delivered in December to people in 21 towns and cities across Worcester and Middlesex counties. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)

Beyond the 600 food baskets for Christmas, this year the foundation sponsored over 30 meals at WHEAT in Clinton, supported food banks in Clinton and Chelmsford, donated thousands of diapers to a diaper bank in Lowell, provided car seats and pack n plays for shelters in Lawrence and backpacks for children in Leominster, and scholarships to students in Lancaster, Sterling, and Shirley.

“We are only able to do to his because of the kindness and generosity of friends, neighbors and strangers alike,” David Carr humbly said. “We are excited for what happens in 2023.”

When it comes to the future plans and goals for the foundation, he said that they plan to continue supporting those in need across Worcester and Middlesex counties. One of the ways they fundraise in order to do that is through a yearly 5K that has grown exponentially since the first one in 2020.

Eden Corey of Lancaster was one of hundreds of volunteers of all ages who helped assemble and deliver 600 holiday food baskets through The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation to people in 21 towns and cities across Worcester and Middlesex counties last month. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)
Eden Corey of Lancaster was one of hundreds of volunteers of all ages who helped assemble and deliver 600 holiday food baskets through The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation to people in 21 towns and cities across Worcester and Middlesex counties last month. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)

Last year’s race sold out in three weeks and as of press time, over 230 runners are already registered for the 3rd Annual Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation Shamrock 5K on March 11 at Sterling Street Brewery in Clinton. Registration before Feb. 1 is $35, before March 1 is $40, and $45 on or after March 1.

Each runner will receive a branded gift from the Carr Foundation, a free beer after the race, will be eligible for randomly drawn raffle prizes, and there will be cash prizes for the winners in each age bracket and best costume.

They also have two other big fundraisers later this year – the 2nd Annual Nashoba Rock N Brewfest at the Lancaster Fairgrounds in June and the 4th annual Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation Golf Tournament in September, which is typically held at Trull Brook Golf Course in Tewksbury.

David Carr said those events last year plus their “relationship” with Christmas on Runaway in Lancaster, which collects funds for the Carr Foundation at their popular lights display and show, made 2022 their “best year of fundraising yet,” enabling them to distribute more baskets and expand their reach.

Colin Pagington (left) and Brendan Brunelle of Lancaster were part of the legion of volunteers who assembled and distributed 600 holiday food baskets through The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation last month. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)
Colin Pagington (left) and Brendan Brunelle of Lancaster were part of the legion of volunteers who assembled and distributed 600 holiday food baskets through The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation last month. (COURTESY LILLY TAMMIK)

“We have been very lucky to feel the love from friends, neighbors, and strangers alike via donations of both time and financial support,” David Carr said. “We will continue to fundraise to support those efforts.”

When asked how he thinks their parents would feel about he and his siblings’ efforts carried out in their names and what they would say, he didn’t hesitate to share that “our parents were already proud of us.”

“They were good people, we like to think they raised good people. It seems cliché, but our parents hoped that we one day would leave our homes, communities, and world a better place. This is our attempt to try.”

Lowell police officer accused of rape gets certification suspended

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LOWELL — The Lowell police officer set to stand trial in May for allegedly raping a homeless 16-year-old girl had his certification suspended by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.

The POST Commission announced on Tuesday that Kevin Garneau, 53, a 19-year veteran of the force, charged with two counts of rape, was among the 15 officers targeted by the commission.

The POST Commission was established in 2020 as part of the state’s criminal justice reform law aimed at improving public safety and increasing trust between members of law enforcement and the public. The commission is charged with creating a mandatory certification process for police officers and a process to decertify, suspend or reprimand officers.

The commission is required to immediately suspend the certification of any officer who is arrested, charged or indicted for a felony. It may also initiate an inquiry into the conduct of an officer who is arrested, charged or indicted for a misdemeanor.

Lowell Police Acting Superintendent Barry Golner said there is no change to Garneau’s status with the department based on the commission’s decision.

Garneau has been on unpaid leave from the department since he was indicted in 2019. At that time, Golner said Garneau’s law enforcement credentials, including his department-issued gun and badge, were seized.

“It’s more technical at this point, because there’s no change to his status with regard to his employment with the city of Lowell,” Golner said.

Garneau, of Pelham, N.H., served as a member of the Community Opioid Outreach Program, a collaboration between the Lowell Police and Fire departments, Lowell House rehabilitation center and Trinity EMS. As part of his duties with the COOP, Garneau would visit recent overdose victims to help them find treatment.

It was during his time with the COOP that Garneau came in contact with the alleged victim, who was homeless and addicted to heroin.

Garneau is accused of raping the teen three times inside a tent within a two-month period in 2016, said Thomas Brant, of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, during Garneau’s arraignment in Middlesex Superior Court in June 2019.

Garneau’s trial is scheduled to begin on May 1. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of rape.

Golner said an internal investigation to determine Garneau’s future employment will begin following the trial’s conclusion.

“The internal investigation has less of a burden of proof,” Golner said. “It’s not beyond a reasonable doubt, it’s preponderance of the evidence. But we’ll leave that up to the investigating officers at the time.”

Garneau’s attorney, Robert Normandin, described the commission’s decision to suspend Garneau’s certification as “very unfortunate.”

Normandin has repeated in the past that his client has maintained his innocence since the day the accusations surfaced.

“We are both certainly looking forward to this matter being over and for him to resume his career,” Normandin said.

Among the other names on the POST Commission’s list of officers who had their certification suspended was Ernest Fontaine, a former Fitchburg State University Police officer.

According to a statement from the university, Fontaine was placed on administrative leave on March 1 when the university learned of his criminal conduct. He was fired on July 2.

The statement says Fontaine’s alleged conduct did not occur on campus nor did it involve anyone affiliated with Fitchburg State.

According to the commission, an officer whose certification is suspended can request a hearing before a commissioner within 15 days. A suspension order is in effect until a final decision or revocation is made.

To view the full list of officers whose certifications were suspended, visit mass.gov/orgs/post-commission.

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis

98-year-old World War II veteran commemorates Battle of the Bulge alongside Lowell fourth-graders

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LOWELL — Nearly 80 years ago, Joe Landry was drafted into the U.S. Army at Fort Devens at just 18 years old. Only a year later, he would fight in one of the largest battles of World War II.

The Shirley native, 98, visited fourth-graders at the Collegiate Charter School of Lowell on Wednesday morning, days before the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, which began on Dec. 16, 1944.

The classroom of 25 kids were eager to talk with Landry, asking him to reflect on his feelings toward his service, especially since he was drafted — or as one student put it, “forced.” Landry reassured them, “It’s an honor to serve your country,” and it’s important they did so.

“If we hadn’t done what we did,” Landry said, “most of you would be speaking German or Japanese.”

Dana Abbott, a U.S. Air Force veteran from Ayer, helped facilitate the students’ questions, since Landry said he is “hard of hearing because of the guns” they used.

Despite being only about 10 years old, a few students seemed concerned about the draft — one girl questioned why she, too, might have to serve alongside the boys.

In response to the young girl’s concerns, Abbott said he is proud to continue to serve his country outside of combat. Both he and Landry are involved with the American Legion.

“Technically, we’re still serving our country in different aspects,” Abbott said. “And we help veterans throughout the whole country, world, that have fought for our country… It’s an honor to be a soldier and still help veterans.”

After speaking with two different fourth-grade classrooms, Landry and Abbott accepted holiday cards, crafted by the students, which will be handed off to members of the Shirley American Legion George J. Morin Post 183 who might need some extra cheer.

Ashley Bailey-O’Keefe, the student life coordinator at the school, said the elementary-aged kids are always eager to participate in canned food and sock drives and card-writing activities. Because their end-of-term exams are coming up, the students couldn’t spend more time with the veterans, Bailey-O’Keefe, but they definitely “appreciated the time.”

“For our younger kids, they’re just happy to get that experience,” Bailey-O’Keefe said. “They pack a lot of empathy, and so if we give them an opportunity to do anything voluntary, they jump on it… So being able to see them in person and getting to ask them questions face to face, that’s an experience they’re not going to forget.”

Landry was one of seven siblings, and five of them served in World War II, he said. When asked if they had a relative in the military, some of the students raised their hands.

The first question one fourth-grader asked was how old Landry is, to which he responded, “I’m only 98! Two more years, I’ll be 100.” The room applauded.

While Landry was stationed in France in the fall of 1944, he spotted an Army Jeep driving in front of him. The number on the side of the vehicle indicated it belonged to his older brother’s outfit, and when Landry stopped the car to ask where they were stationed, he found his brother sitting there looking back at him.

“Unbelievable, just a miracle,” Landry said. “And we spent Thanksgiving together.”

Though it was far from a traditional Thanksgiving meal, Landry said they indulged in K-rations — breakfast, lunch and dinner served out of a “Cracker Jack box” — and even had turkey, ice cream and pie delivered from England.

The brothers departed a couple weekends later, and Landry was in Luxembourg before the Battle of the Bulge began. Landry drove trucks, troops and supplies up to the battlefront.

Given Landry’s extensive experience, and the fact he was involved in “six major campaigns” during the war, students wondered if he was ever injured. Landry told them he was one of the lucky ones and “never got a scratch.”

Since the war concluded, Landry said he’s returned to France and Belgium, where he lowered a flag at a cemetery and presented it to a Belgian family there.

After Landry’s visit, fourth-grade teacher Amy Ivas said her students were thrilled to have the veterans in the classroom, and she appreciated the conversation’s educational value.

“I think that they really enjoyed it, I believe that they learned a lot as well,” Ivas said. “Anything about history to enrich their lives is amazing.”

Landry also visited a high school history class later in the day, where students are currently learning about the Battle of the Bulge. Their teacher, Zach LaRose, is in the Air Force Reserves and, through his military connections, helped bring Landry to the school.

LaRose conducted a pen pal program last year, in which students could write letters to veterans overseas.

Many of LaRose’s students, especially his seniors, were “really interested” in meeting the veterans, he said — one was even “star-struck.”

“It’s great to bring somebody in who experienced it,” LaRose said, “because I could talk about it, I could show videos, but having that personal connection to D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, you can’t get past that.”

Lowell pair charged with kidnapping, claim third party committed homicide

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LOWELL — Two Centralville residents allegedly kidnapped a 37-year-old man, held him against his will, watched him die and concealed his body in a freezer.

Samantha Perry, 36, and Michael Burke, 35, were arraigned in Lowell District Court Monday before Judge Daniel Crane. The pair are charged with kidnapping the 37-year-old man, supposedly holding him hostage at their home at 190 Coburn St. No homicide charges have been filed.

Both Perry and Burke are being held pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Dec. 14.

According to a Dec. 2 police report that was included with court documents, the 37-year-old’s body was held in a “chest freezer” in the basement of the Coburn Street residence. The victim’s back was bruised and there was duct tape on his upper arms and chest, according to the report.

The identity of the victim has not been released, and is redacted from the police report. However, John Wayne Potter, 36, reported missing by Lowell Police on Dec. 1, was reportedly last seen in the area of Country Farms on Aiken Street, only about a half-mile away from 190 Coburn St. Social media posts of those close to Potter seem to confirm he is the victim.

Officer Nathan Bowler, who submitted the police report, noted he was investigating the case of a male missing person who did not show up to Thanksgiving and was unreachable by cellphone. Bowler notes that person “was known to struggle with an opiate addiction.”

Police initially responded to the Coburn Street home after receiving a tip on Nov. 28 about a man “duct taped to a chair,” according to the police report. Upon arrival, a detective asked Perry to conduct a search of the basement, which Perry consented to, but told the officer she needed “to get ready,” according to the report. About 30 minutes later, the report notes Perry told the detective she wouldn’t allow him inside. After a slight reconsideration and another approximately 45 minutes of delay, Perry stated again that she would not consent to a search, according to the report.

Perry did grant the on-scene detective permission to view the outside of her home, including a window to the basement, according to the report. Upon peering through, the detective noticed a chair with duct tape wrapped around it, the report states.

Police later obtained a search warrant, which they executed, and during that time, Perry, Burke, an unnamed individual and other men — whose names were also omitted from the report — left the premises.

It was there that officers opened the chest freezer to reveal the deceased “body of a white male.”

Perry claims that on Nov. 23, an individual whose name is redacted “forced her to take certain actions” and allegedly strangled the victim to death while she and Burke observed. Perry allegedly admitted to attacking the victim and binding his body with wire, rope, a tie down strap and duct tape, as well as hitting him “in the face with a plastic toy handgun,” the report states.

Afterward, once the victim was presumably dead, Perry and Burke allegedly placed his body in the freezer.

Burke also claimed he was “forced” to carry out those actions because an unnamed individual was threatening them with a handgun, according to the report.

Police conducted a second search of the residence after obtaining another warrant Dec. 2, but evidence gathered at that search “shall be the subject of a future, detailed report,” Bowler stated.

Stanley Norkunas, the defense attorney representing Burke, said outside the courthouse that Burke entered a plea of not guilty to the charges he’s facing, stating that it’s not clear “that there is a murder at this point.”

“This is the very beginning of what looks like a complex situation that arose here in Lowell,” Norkunas said. “I don’t know much more than all of you would know at this point in time. We’re collecting a number of facts on that.”

Norkunas said he’s not sure what the defendants’ relationship with the victim is, and he expects more information to come out at next week’s hearing.

“Whether the hearing will be closed and whatnot next week, that I don’t know either,” he added.