The man accused of killing former Gloucester resident Paul Frontiero III has now been ordered held without bail on second-degree murder and assault charges after a probable cause hearing Wednesday in Nashua, N.H., District Court.
Matthew Packer, 19, of Nashua, is charged with fatally stabbing Paul Frontiero, 27, of Nashua several times, including once in the heart, and inflicting life-threatening injuries on 29-year-old Kathryn Libby in front of their apartment building on Oct. 9.
According to the Nashua Telegraph, Packer told police that he "snapped and lost control" Packer, according to the Telegraph, said a group of people charged him and he lost control after someone struck him. He told police he hadn't been taking medication for a mental illness because of the cost. The Union Leader of Manchester, N.H., reported Wednesday night that Frontiero was stabbed 16 times.
Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause for Packer's arrest on Oct. 10 and bound the case over to Hillsborough County Superior Court.
Meanwhile, Packer's brother has been charged with helping him escape.
Nashua police arrested James Packer, 21, of 16 Carlene Drive, Nashua, and Rosemary Chevez, 18, of 23 Eastern Ave., Amherst, N.H. They were each arraigned Monday on charges of hindering apprehension, according to the Telegraph.
Assistant Attorney General Michael Lewis said that James Packer asked his girlfriend, Chevez, to drive Matthew Packer to Wareham after the alleged Oct. 9 knife attack that killed Frontiero, a 27-year-old emergency medical technician whose parents, Cathy and Paul Frontiero Jr., live on Riverview Road in Gloucester.
According to court documents, Matthew Packer called his brother on the phone that night and said, "I did something stupid."
James Packer is being held on $50,000 bail and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing Oct. 25. Chevez was held on $2,500 bail and will have a probable cause hearing Oct. 26, according to media reports.
Frontiero, whose funeral packed St. Ann's Church in Gloucester last Saturday, has been hailed as a hero by witnesses who said he had intervened on behalf of the two women who were being threatened by Packer outside the apartment building where they and Frontiero lived.
Meanwhile, in Gloucester, Frontiero, who went on several medical missions to the Dominican Republic, was scheduled to go this Friday on another in Cervicos with parishioners from Holy Family Parish in Gloucester. Joey Ciaramitaro of GoodMorningGloucester.org organized a way for friends to honor Fronteiro's memory; he contacted the Rev. Matthew Green at the parish and the two set up a place where people can contribute.
Frontiero's father said the missionaries pay their own way, and that "100 percent of whatever is donated will go directly to the mission and serve the Dominican people."
People can send donations for the mission to the Dominican Republic to the "Holy Family Parish Mission," care of Holy Family Parish, 60 Prospect St., Gloucester, MA 01930.
The group is also accepting children's chewable ibuprofen and acetaminophen, Selsun Blue shampoo (for skin rashes), antihistamine tablets (such as Claritin or Allegra), and hand sanitizer.
Staff writer Steven Fletcher contributed to this report by Andrea Holbrook. She may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3456 or aholbrook@gloucestertimes.com.
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