A Brockton woman accused of killing her boyfriend, hiding his body in a closet and telling police he died during a botched robbery, pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Monday.
Thirty-three-year-old Kathryn Podgurski was charged with murder Monday in the death of 44-year-old Joseph Shaw. She was arraigned in Brockton District Court and is being held without bail.
As prosecutors laid out their case, many of Shaw's family left the courtroom in rage and overcome with emotions.
Plymouth District Attorney Tim Cruz said a relative of Podgurski called police Friday saying men tried to rob Podgurski and Shaw at their apartment and killed Shaw.
Police said they found Shaw's body in a closet under clothing and kitty litter. Shaw had been stabbed and had been dead a significant period of time.
"The body was also found to be missing the lower left portion of the leg," said the prosecutor.
Cruz described the homicide as a "crime of passion".
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"We're going to dod the best we can to get justice for him," Cruz said.
Shaw's family had reported him missing July 17.
A lawyer for Podgurski did not immediately comment. She is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 24.
