PEABODY, Mass. (AP) - A former Peabody man convicted in 2012 of killing his girlfriend is seeking a new trial.
Ashley Fernandes is serving a life term for the 2008 murder of 25-year-old Jessica Herrera. He is asking a Salem Superior Court judge to toss out the conviction.
The Salem News (https://bit.ly/1TB15H4 ) reports that the 35-year-old Fernandes, an Indian national, argues that police were obligated to inform him of his right to speak to someone from that country’s consulate.
His lawyer on Wednesday referenced a letter sent from the consulate. She says Fernandes could have had a lawyer for free if police had contacted them.
Prosecutors say the letter doesn’t say that the Indian government would pay for a private attorney.
A ruling on the motion is expected in the next few weeks.
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Information from: The Salem (Mass.) News, https://www.salemnews.com
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