Leominster man arrested in connection with wife’s death after police standoff

A Leominster man is facing charges in connection with his wife’s death after he allegedly barricaded himself inside his home Friday and spent hours locked in a standoff with police. 

James E. Marsh, 64, pleaded not guilty Monday to two firearm-related charges: assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. He was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. 

Authorities allege Marsh was holed up inside his home at 209 Union St. for more than four hours the day after Christmas, though he eventually surrendered to state and local police. Investigators found a woman’s body when they entered the home, and the alleged victim was identified in charging documents as 62-year-old Ann C. Marsh. 

Prosecutors say the Marshes were married, and that James Marsh shot and killed his wife during an argument at home, per video from NBC10 Boston. 

The dramatic scene began shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, when an unidentified 911 caller gave a dispatcher the Union Street address and promptly disconnected. When Leominster police weren’t able to get in touch with the caller, they sent two uniformed officers to the home for a welfare check. 

A police supervisor authorized the officers to enter the house through an unlocked side door, and one of the officers “heard what she believed was a moaning sound in the residence and believed that someone was in medical distress,” according to a Massachusetts State Police narrative filed in court. 

Officer Tiffany Beaupre allegedly saw a man — later identified as James Marsh — sitting on the couch and holding a gun in her direction. There was also a second person on the couch who was motionless and covered with a blanket, according to the report. 

Beaupre retreated and took a defensive position outside, and two other Leominster officers said they heard her yell “GUN!” over her police radio. As law enforcement swarmed the neighborhood, James Marsh allegedly barricaded himself inside.  

According to the State Police report, Marsh voluntarily surrendered around 7:29 p.m. and was taken into custody. Police searched the home and allegedly found a dead woman lying on the couch in the living room with “obvious signs of death and trauma” to her face and head. She was pronounced dead at the scene, the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office said. 

Marsh is charged with gravely wounding his wife and pulling a gun on Beaupre, court records show. Reached by phone Tuesday, his attorney declined to comment on the allegations. 

Marsh is due back in court Friday, Jan. 2.

Abby Patkin

Staff Writer

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.

Want to leave a comment?

Create an Account Or sign in to your account

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

To comment, please verify your email address

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com