Fatal stabbing victim ID'd; suspect held

A 33-year-old Boston man was identified yesterday as the person stabbed to death following an altercation in Roxbury on Tuesday afternoon.

John Marshall was stabbed at least four times by another man shortly before 2:30 on Dale Street near the intersection with Regent Street. He was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the office of Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Boston police.

A relative of Marshall's said yesterday that the family is devastated by their loss and not ready to talk with reporters.

Based on eyewitness accounts and the observations of a Boston police officer who was stationed nearby, 29-year-old David Copeland of Roxbury was arrested within hours of the stabbing and charged with killing Marshall, authorities said.

Copeland was arraigned yesterday in Roxbury Municipal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Judge Milton Wright ordered him held without bail. Copeland's lawyer, Michael Laurano, declined to comment.

In court, Assistant District Attorney Edward Krippendorf outlined the events leading up to the city's 38th homicide of 2008.

He said the two men met in a parking lot and soon became involved in a verbal and physical altercation.

Copeland allegedly then stabbed Marshall multiple times before fleeing. Police arriving on the scene, along with the officer who was nearby, found a hat near the spot where Marshall was stabbed, a hat Copeland was reportedly wearing earlier in the day.

Krippendorf also said police discovered Copeland as he was trying to wipe blood off his arms.

John Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com.