For Immediate Release August 20, 2007 

Contact: Corey Welford/Meredith Lerner 617-679-6522

                                                            
65-Year-Old Everett Man Ordered Held Without Bail At Arraignment In Connection With Alleged Murder Of Ex-Wife

MALDEN - Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office informed the public today that an Everett man was ordered held without bail at his arraignment this morning in connection with the alleged murder of his ex-wife, Dorothy Philbrook, age 65, also of Everett.

George Philbrook, age 65, was arrested late Friday night by Malden Police in connection with the shooting that occurred earlier that evening. He was arraigned this morning in Malden District Court on charges of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a defaced firearm, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, and resisting arrest. Presiding judge Lee Johnson ordered him held without bail.

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 gunshots. 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. Authorities then identified the defendant to be involved in the matter, and began an immediate investigation into his whereabouts to question him.

Later that evening, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Malden police found Philbrook at a liquor store in Malden 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 both lived in the first floor of the Sea Street residence.

Philbrook will next appear in Malden District Court on September 28 for a probable cause hearing.

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 Middlesex District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit. The victim witness advocate is Shawn McMaster.

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