Prosecutors are investigating whether a Massachusetts man was killed by poisoning at the horse farm owned by Sheila LaBarre, who is charged with first-degree murder in his death.
Sheila LaBarre has been charged with killing Kenneth Countie, formerly of Wilmington, Mass. According to motions filed in the case, prosecutors are exploring the possibility that Countie was poisoned, but the state is having difficulty testing the samples of bodily fluids and tissues found at LaBarre's home and 125 acres of property.
After Countie was reported missing in March, police spent more than two weeks searching the property and found blood, bones and other evidence. But prosecutors said in court documents that the forensic investigation of the evidence is proceeding slowly.
"Careful screening for the best samples of DNA is being conducted, as many remains are severely degraded," prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said that tests were being conducted to determine if poison was present in any of the samples.
Witnesses have told police that Countie appeared sick and his skin color ashen when he was last seen in public.
Defense attorneys are asking that they be allowed to perform tests on the evidence, but prosecutors said a complete forensic investigation will likely consume all samples.
A judge is scheduled to rule on what to do with the samples of evidence at a hearing later this month.
Merrimack Valley
Poisoning suspected in LaBarre case
- Merrimack Valley
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State officials asked to investigate Adams
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Democratic Party has asked state election officials to investigate whether state Rep. Paul Adams benefited from "a multi-step financial scheme" to mislead voters about how his 2010 campaign was financed.
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Despite new law, local towns say no to GIC
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The deadline for cities and towns to join the state plan is March 1. - Mass. schools suspend thousands under 'zero-tolerance'
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State officials asked to investigate Adams
