Lynn man charged with murder after extradition

(George Rizer/Globe Staff)

Rodlyn Petitbois appeared in Lynn District Court with his attorney, Kevin Mitchell.

By Christopher Baxter, Globe Staff

LYNN -- Rodlyn Petitbois stood expressionless in a gray prison jumpsuit with his hands cuffed at his waist this morning as he pleaded not guilty to murdering a 33-year-old woman last week and absconding to Brooklyn with his four young children.

Friends and family of the victim, Greenland Etienne, sat in the public gallery in Lynn District Court and stared at Petitbois. He said nothing as the brief proceeding was translated for him into Creole. After his lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, Petitbois was ordered held without bail until a probable cause hearing Sept. 12.

Petitbois, 25, is accused of fatally stabbing Etienne, 33, in the eye early Wednesday in her second floor apartment on High Rock Street. Petitbois then allegedly fled with the help of his girlfriend, triggering a massive manhunt when the couple went missing with their children, who range in age from 11 months to 3 years.

Petitbois was arrested Wednesday evening on a Brooklyn street. The girlfriend, Louna Eveillard, and the four children were found safe at a nearby park.

On Friday Eveillard, 26, was arrested after prosecutors accused her of helping Petitbois elude arrest and conceal his crimes. Eveillard was charged with being an accessory after the fact in the murder.

Eveillard initially told police that Petitbois had forced her and the children, who had been staying with Etienne for several weeks, to go with him to New York. But authorities now allege she lied to investigators and went willingly with Petitbois.

Petitbois agreed last week to waive extradition and return to Massachusetts to face the charge of murder stemming from the fatal stabbing in Lynn.

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