METHUEN — A judge in a murder case has granted a request by the defense to pay for a neuropsychiatrist along with two other professionals.
On Thursday, Anthony Nunez-Romano, 26, of Methuen entered a not guilty plea to the murder of his mother, Dominga Romano, 55. He appeared before Judge Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman in Essex Superior Court in Salem.
The same day McCarthy-Neyman allowed three separate motions so that the defense could secure a forensic examiner, neuropsychiatrist and investigator. Nunez-Romano’s attorney cited the need for the outside help and his client’s inability to afford the experts, according to documents.
Prior to his arrest, Nunez-Romano lived with Dominga, a former Lawrence Public Schools educator, in a home on Lyndale Avenue. Police arrived at the house on Dec. 29 to conduct a well-being check on Dominga after she failed to respond to messages from a frequent contact, according to a police report.
When police arrived, they were met by Nunez-Romano who gave concerning and evasive answers to police including requesting he go upstairs before law enforcement, police said. Authorities found Dominga’s body on the second floor with fatal wounds.
Nunez-Romano has been held in custody since the arrest. On Thursday, his attorney did not challenge a no-bail request from prosecutor Kate MacDougall.
During the investigation, a family member told police Nunez-Romano has had struggles with his mental health, according to police reports.
“I need an examiner to investigate the possibilities of mental illness or the cognitive abilities of the defendant, who has been found competent on other dockets, before any further trial or hearings,” attorney Joseph Perullo said in court documents.
Perullo also advocated for someone who could provide more general assistance.
“After a review of the evidence, I require the services of an investigator to do various tasks to aid my client including document retrieval, taking pictures, interviewing witnesses and other tasks I will ask the investigator to perform,” he said in a court filing.
Purello asked for up to $5,000 for each request.
Recent filings by the prosecution include an inventory of evidence that may be used against Nunez-Romano if the case goes to trial. Evidence includes photos of the victim, police reports, booking videos and grand jury minutes, according to documents.
Nunez-Romano is also facing two weapons charges including for possessing an untraceable firearm in the commission of a felony.
A pretrial conference has been set for April 9.