A Massachusetts man pulled over May 27 for a broken headlight, and subsequently arrested after police say they found a woman fighting for her life in his car, while days later discovering three bodies on his property— is being held without bail following his plea of not guilty on 52 charges including three counts of murder.
Stewart Weldon, 40, was arraigned Monday morning in Hampden Superior Court on the charges, which involve 11 different women. Further charges include counts of strangulation, aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, and assault to rape, WWLP reports.
NEW: No bail for Stewart Weldon after pleading not guilty to multiple counts of murder, rape and kidnapping.https://t.co/WPUi1e9x3k
— Lynn Barry (@LynnBarry22News) August 27, 2018
The offenses are thought to have taken place “over a year’s time,” the district attorney’s office said, according to The Republican.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, a dangerous pursuit ensued after Springfield police attempted to pull over the suspect, who allegedly refused orders. Weldon then crashed into a police cruiser before resisting arrest, according to authorities.
When officials searched the suspected murderer and rapist, two knives were uncovered in his pockets, according to court documents obtained by CNN. Additionally, a police report said that a woman in the car was suffering from stab wounds.
“He’s going to kill me,” the woman desperately stated through tears, thanking officers.
The victim added that Weldon sexually assaulted and beat her several times as he held her captive in his home, according to the police report.
Three days later, authorities were called to Weldon’s residence on Page Boulevard, where officials say a search of the home uncovered the remains of three women.
The women were later identified as Kayla Escalante, 27; America Lyden, 34; and 47-year-old Ernestine Ryans. Death certificates obtained by The Republican cite the cause of the victim’s deaths as “homicidal violence.”
Weldon was previously being held on a $2 million bond for two separate kidnapping charges prior to Monday’s arraignment.
A pretrial conference is scheduled for January 18.
[Feature Photo: Ernestine Ryans, America Lyden and Kayla Escalante/Handouts]
