Texas man allegedly killed aunt who took him into her Plainville home

(Associated Press/Pool)

Carpeno stood alongside his attorney, William Sullivan, at the arraignment today.

By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff

A 41-year-old Texas man has been accused of killing his blind aunt, who was found dead of multiple stab wounds last night in a closet in her apartment in Plainville, about 30 miles southwest of Boston.

Randall Carpeno was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment on a murder charge this morning in Wrentham District Court. A pretrial hearing was slated for April 29. The victim was identified as 56-year-old April Mackie, who had been blind for about 10 years because of an accident.

Norfolk District Attorney William Keating said at a news conference that a friend of Carpeno's from Austin, Texas, had called Brockton Police and told them that Carpeno had killed his aunt. Brockton Police determined that Mackie lived in Plainville, then notified police in that area.

Plainville Police then conducted well-being checks at Mackie's residence on Sunday and Monday, but were turned away by Carpeno, who assured them that Mackie was all right. During a third well-being check Monday, police found Carpeno sleeping and entered the house, finding a towel that appeared to have blood on it. After a further search, they found Mackie's body, Keating said.

Mackie, who lived alone, had taken her nephew in to live with her. He had been staying at the Messenger Street residence for about a week, Keating said.

Defense attorney William Sullivan said he was not "up to speed" yet on the case.

Police Chief Jim Alfred said the last homicide in the town occurred about 20 years ago.

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