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Quincy man accused of strangling girlfriend in domestic violence murder

E-mail|Link|Comments () August 31, 2009 01:41 PM

Globe video by John R. Ellement

QUINCY - Defense attorney Robert Jubinville talks about Quincy murder suspect Joseph Beatty, who is accused of strangling his girlfriend, Mary Beaton, in her Quincy apartment on Friday.

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

QUINCY -- With relatives and friends offering support, a 52-year-old Quincy man today pleaded not guilty to charges that he choked his girlfriend into unconsciousness, had sex with her, then killed her.

Joseph W. Beatty, who relatives said has a history of mental illness, was ordered held without bail by Judge Mark Coven for allegedly killing Mary Beaton, 33, inside her Beach Street apartment in Quincy on Friday.

In court, Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Thomas L. Finigan said that Beatty strangled Beaton with his bare hands after the couple argued over a trip to Las Vegas and Beaton's demand for a $500 payment for her rent. A report filed by Quincy police contained other details.

"Beatty said he strangled Beaton and put her on the bed,'' police said in the report. "Beatty said he then removed Beaton's clothing and had sex with her. Beatty said he then smothered her with a pillow.''

In court, Finigan said Beaton had an 11-year-old daughter, who spent the weekend with her father and was not home when her mother was killed.

Several of Beaton's relatives were also in court, but declined to speak. A longtime family friend, Kevin Donovan, said after the arraignment that Beatty had shattered the Beaton family's peace.

"He's a monster.'' Donovan said of Beatty. "The guy has disrupted a lot of lives.''

According to Finigan and the police report, after allegedly murdering his girlfriend, Beatty became suicidal. State Police recovered his van on P Street in South Boston and inside they found a blood-stained knife that Beatty may have used to try to kill himself.

Police said in Beatty's booking report that there were "hesitation cuts on both wrists and neck.''

On Saturday, one of Beatty's sister rushed her brother to Boston Medical Center where he explained why he was suicidal, Finigan said. Boston police were called and they, in turn, contacted Quincy police who went to Beaton's apartment on Saturday and discovered her body.

Beatty, according to his attorney, Robert Jubinville, has undergone a kidney transplant within the past several years and has been undergoing mental health counseling for the last year. Jubinville said he was not sure what Beatty's diagnosis is.

Beatty's relatives, including a niece who would not give her name, said after the arraignment they were shocked he has been charged with committing such a violent act.

"I am totally shocked that this happened,'' said the niece, who was crying as she spoke. "I am standing by him 100 percent. He has mental issues.''

Finigan said that after Beatty killed Beaton, he took two crucifixes and placed one on either side of her head as she lay in the bed.

Beatty is due back in court Oct. 7.