Trial begins in 2004 slaying

By James Vaznis, Globe Staff

A Suffolk Superior Court trial has begun in the slaying four years ago of a 49-year-old Dorchester woman whose throat was slashed in her apartment while she was hog-tied with a telephone cord.

William Wood, 33, of Roxbury and Quincy Butler, 34, of Dorchester are on trial for first-degree murder, armed assault with intent to murder, kidnapping, armed home invasion, armed robbery, and related offenses, the Suffolk district attorney's office said.

Betsy Tripp died during the robbery gone awry, and her boyfriend was shot in the face when he tried to help her, according to prosecutors.

On Feb. 13, 2004, the men allegedly threatened to kill the couple if they couldn’t get money with Tripp’s ATM card. Butler held the two at gunpoint while Wood went to an ATM, according to prosecutors. He only got $40. When Wood returned to the couple's home, the bloodshed began, prosecutors said.

Defense attorneys for Wood and Butler could not be reached for comment last night.

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