For Immediate Release September 27, 2007                                        Contact: Corey Welford/Meredith Lerner  617-679-6522
                                                              

65-Year-Old Everett Man Indicted In Connection With Alleged Murder Of Ex-Wife

CAMBRIDGE - Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that a 65-Year-Old Everett man has been indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury in connection with the alleged murder of his ex-wife, Dorothy Philbrook, age 65, also of Everett.

George Philbrook, age 65, of Everett, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of a defaced firearm used during a felony, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

“We allege that this was a domestic dispute which tragically turned to violence and death,” District Attorney Leone said. “Mr. Philbrook’s arrest was the result of courageous police work by the Everett and Malden Police, who worked together to track down and apprehended the defendant minutes after the shooting, and while he was still in possession of a loaded weapon and several extra rounds of ammunition.”

According to authorities, police responded to a reported shooting at 34 Sea Street in Everett at approximately 8:22 p.m. on Friday, August 17. Police arrived to find the victim laying outside her house, suffering from apparent multiple gunshot wounds to her head, back and neck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Everett Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office initiated an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the shooting, speaking with witnesses in the area and gathering evidence at the scene. Through several eyewitness reports George Philbrook was identified as the defendant and authorities were able to begin an immediate investigation into his whereabouts.

Later in the evening on August 17, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Malden police found Philbrook at a liquor store in Malden purchasing alcohol and cigarettes.  Officers approached him and after a struggle, placed him under arrest in connection with the shooting. Police seized from Philbrook a fully-loaded semi-automatic firearm, an extra clip of ammunition, and an additional 50 rounds of ammunition.

According to several people with knowledge of the circumstances, the victim and defendant were divorced for a number of years but lived together for the past 25 years at the Sea Street residence.

Philbrook was arraigned in Somerville District Court on August 20, where Judge Lee Johnson ordered him held without bail.

Philbrook’s arraignment date on the Superior Court charges has not yet been scheduled.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Everett Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Kontz, Chief of the newly-formed Domestic Violence Unit.  The Victim Witness Advocate is Shawn MacMaster, also of the Domestic Violence Unit.

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