Nearly a year after he allegedly killed the mother of his child, Emilio DeLarosa faced a judge in Salem Superior Court on Friday.
The 33-year-old from Lawrence is back in Massachusetts after being on the run since last September.
"Not guilty," DeLarosa said after he was asked how he pled to first degree murder.
DeLarosa, one of Massachusetts' Most Wanted, is accused of killing 29-year-old, Wanda Rosa.
Delarosa is accused of strangling Rosa on September 12 of 2016, in front of their son, who was 4 years old at the time.
"He fled immediately following the murder. Despite constant efforts by the state police fugitive unit to locate him, he was not located until last week in California," the prosecutor said.
DeLarosa was added to the Most Wanted list in February and was finally arrested on Sept. 6 in Patterson, California.
U.S. & World
Rosa's family was emotional in court as DeLarosa's history of domestic abuse was discussed.
"The defendant is on probation for assault on the same victim," said the prosecutor.
In 2014, DeLarosa was convicted of attempted murder, kidnapping, and assault and battery charges.
At the time of Rosa's death she had an active restraining order against him after his release from state prison.
DeLarosa will be held without bail.
His attorney was unable to appear in court on Friday; therefore, his bail will be reviewed again on Friday, Sept. 22.
