Gruesome Murder, Burglary Suspect Arraigned

Plymouth County prosecutor Timothy Cruz says in a news release Sunday that DNA evidence led investigators to the suspect

One person is charged with a gruesome Marshfield, Massachusetts, murder- but investigators say they’re still looking for two others, a man and a woman they believe also took part in the crime.

James Ferguson, 40, was in court Monday and charged with murder, accused of killing 45-year-old Robert McKenna inside McKenna’s home earlier this month. McKenna’s neighbors still reeling from the crime.

Police say they believe three people broke into McKenna’s home in the middle of the night and made off with two guns and gems McKenna kept in his home, including one jewel that was pink and the size of a golf ball according to prosecutors.

“I think based upon some of the things the victim had in his home, that he certainly may have been targeted by certain individuals,” Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said.

It’s unclear what connection Ferguson has to McKenna.

McKenna’s close friend and long time neighbor Mary Kay Burgan says she never heard of the guy. McKenna did tell some people he had been a diamond runner in Zimbawe in the 90s, and prosecutors say he grew marijuana in his home.

Mary Kay says she heard commotion the night of the crime.

“Glass breaking, and so we called him up at three in the morning, and said 'just call us back and let us know you’re alright,'” Burgan said.

At a home listed to the defendant’s mother in Marshfield, a woman inside refused to comment.

The day after the crime, investigators say they found several items of clothing along Main Street in Marshfield, some of which included blood matching both the victim and the defendant. A blood-stained sneaker was found in this man’s yard.

“There was a swarm of police, state police, K9’s and everything searching the area," said Tony Papagno. "I asked them what was going on and they told me they were doing an investigation.”

As for Mary Kay, after things got quiet at the house the night of the crime, she and her roommate went and knocked on the door but there was no answer and they left.

“We thought he was deep asleep- maybe he had an argument with someone and they left- so you always want to think the best, you don't want to think something terrible happened, but unfortunately it did and we'll live with that the rest of our lives.”

Prosecutors say Ferguson has a lengthy criminal record dating back almost 30 years. He was arrested over the weekend at an apartment in Dorchester.

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