Michelle Knox Obituary, Death; – A 30-year-old man, accused of murdering his sister in a Lynn, Massachusetts apartment on Sunday, was on probation at the time of her death, as stated by prosecutors.
Joshua Smith was arraigned on Monday in Lynn District Court facing charges of murder and kidnapping. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.
Lynn murder arraignment
Both the prosecution and defense concurred that Smith should be held without bail until a probable cause hearing scheduled for October 14.
Smith’s sister, 38-year-old Michelle Knox, was discovered deceased shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday when police responded to a call on Newhall Street.
The prosecution alleged that Smith killed Knox in an apartment where he was residing with his father. No specifics regarding her death were disclosed during Smith’s arraignment.
Prosecutors indicated that upon the officers’ arrival at the apartment, Smith was outside making several incriminating statements about the murder of his sister.
The judge determined that Smith had violated his probation in a prior case. His defense attorney, Michael Phelan, addressed reporters outside the court on Monday but refrained from commenting on the reasons for Smith’s probation.
“He has prior experience with the legal system, so he is aware of the proceedings that will unfold,” Phelan remarked.
The attorney mentioned that he was still gathering information about the case and could not comment on his beliefs regarding what transpired with Knox.
Neighbor describes police response
A resident of the building for a decade, who was unfamiliar with Smith or Knox, reported that the sound of police lights and commotion roused him early Sunday morning.
“I heard the sirens and everything, then woke up to see blue lights. I thought, OK, what is really happening? I felt anxious and quickly got dressed, trying to ensure everyone else was alright,” Kenji Taylor recounted. “It’s just the same old story, you know? It’s Lynn; these things happen.”
Documents pertinent to the case were ordered to be sealed. The judge mandated that Smith have no contact with several family members.
