Manslaughter Trial Ready To Proceed

Manslaughter Trial Ready To Proceed
Man pushed into boiler, dies at Developmental Center
Damien Fisher
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON  The man charged in the killing at the Templeton Developmental Center in 2013 will now go to trial after he was found competent by a judge in Worcester Superior Court.

The cases against Anthony Remillard, 24, had virtually been on hold while the question of his mental competency was being decided. Mr. Remillard was indicted last year on one count of manslaughter, one count of assault and battery on a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of assault and battery on a public employee.

After months of evidence gathering and hearings, Judge James Lemire ruled on Aug. 21 that Mr. Remillard can go to trial on the manslaughter case, as well as the prior arson case that put him in the Templeton De­velopment Center.

Mr. Remillard had been assigned to the developmental center after being arraigned on 2012 charges of arson of a dwelling and breaking and entering in the daytime with the intent to commit a felony.

That case went to the grand jury and resulted in indictments.

At his arraignment on the arson and breaking-and-entering charges, attorneys recommended that Mr. Remillard undergo an evaluation at either the Bridgewater or Worcester state hospitals.

The recommendation was rejected and Mr. Remillard was instead allowed to enter a pretrial release commitment at the developmental center.

On Sept. 16, 2013, Mr. Remillard reportedly shoved Dennis Perry, 64, of 46 Pheasant Lane, Athol, against a boiler at the Valley Barn located at the center, according to a state police detective’s report.

Mr. Perry was mentally disabled and lived at the developmental center for many years, according to reports. The assault reportedly occurred in the presence of two staff members working at the center, who told police the attack on Mr. Perry was unprovoked. Mr. Perry died on Sept. 27 at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.

A warrant was issued a few weeks later for Mr. Remillard’s arrest “due to the seriousness of the crimes and the victim’s death,” according to the state police detective’s report.