A Massachusetts teenager charged with killing a classmate whose headless body was found near a river last week was ordered held without bail by a judge Monday.
Fifteen-year-old Lawrence High School student Mathew Borges pleaded not guilty to a first degree murder charge in the slaying of 16-year-old Lee Viloria-Paulino, also a Lawrence High student. Borges will be tried as an adult.
A large group of the victim's family was brought into Lawrence District Court for Borges' arraignment.
Viloria-Paulino's body was found by a woman walking her dog along the Merrimack River Thursday.
A police report said surveillance video shows Viloria-Paulino, who was last seen on Nov. 18, leaving a house with Borges prior to the teen's death. The report also said Borges told authorities he had smoked marijuana with Viloria-Paulino on the night he disappeared, but also said he left him alive near the Merrimack River.
A witness also reportedly came forward to police, claiming Borges told them what he had done.
Borges, who will be held at Roslindale Juvenile Facility, will return to court on Jan. 10 for a probable cause hearing. It's unclear if he has an attorney.
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In court, prosecutors said Essex County investigators joined the case on Nov. 28, 10 days after Viloria-Paulino was reported missing.
The Essex DA says the motive for the gruesome murder is still unclear.
The investigation is ongoing.
