Thursday, 4:30 PM
Beverly father accused of murder plot says he is off medication
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
A Beverly man charged with trying to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife, his 7-year-old daughter, and his mother-in-law told a federal magistrate judge today that he suffers from depression and was a little confused by the charges against him because he hasn't taken his medication for several weeks.
John Orlowski, 48, of Beverly, who was arrested Friday night on attempted murder-for-hire charges, appeared briefly today before US Magistrate Judge Timothy S. Hillman, who ordered him held without bail until a hearing Thursday. Assistant US Attorney James Lang said the government is pushing for detention because Orlowski poses a danger to the community and is likely to flee if released.
Orlowski allegedly tried to hire a Crips gang member to kill his family while he was free on bail, awaiting trial on a variety of state charges, including assault and battery on his wife, violating two restraining orders to stay away from her, and possession of a machine gun and burglary tools. He remained free, even after police seized 121 guns from his home and he was found hiding in a shed behind his wife's home.
Lawrence attorney James P. Roche, who represents Orlowski in the federal and state cases, said his client will plead not guilty to the attempted murder-for-hire charges. He declined to comment on the specifics of the case -- including the allegation that Orlowski asked the gang member to shoot his daughter in the chest, not the face, because he wanted an open casket for her funeral.
"He's obviously not doing well," said Roche, when asked about Orlowski's reaction to the charges
