DEDHAM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- One of two men accused of kidnapping an Avon man on New Year's Day waived his appearance in court Monday. That man is charged with the kidnapping of James Robertson.
It is a strange and fascinating case. Police say on New Year's Day, two men, posing as constables, took Robertson away from his home in Avon in handcuffs, telling him he needed to take a surprise drug test.
Robertson has never been seen since, But four men are in jail related to this alleged plot, and one of them had a court date Monday.
Scott Morrison is charged with kidnapping and conspiracy in the case. He is held on $200,000 bail. A judge granted his request not to appear in court for arraignment.
Members of the victim's family were in the courtroom, and at least one of them saw the two men take Robertson away.
Robertson has not been found. But according to the Boston Globe, sealed court records reveal prosecutors believe an alleged wheelchair-bound drug dealer named James Feeney was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, enlisting Morrison and another man, Alfred Ricci, to carry it out.
After court, Morrison's attorney said his client is pleading not guilty.
"What is the basis of the argument against my client, and what is the foundation of the commonwealth's case?" asked Morrison's lawyer, Edward McCormick. "I've seen an alleged statement from one of the co-defendants - that's all. I haven't seen any scientific evidence. I haven't seen any forensics. I don't know if there are. We've seen nothing that would tie Mr. Morrison to this case, except one alleged statement from one of the defendants. That's all I'm aware of and that is what was reported in the paper.
Last week, Dedham police officer Michael Schoener was arrested and charged with providing a gun, a badge, and other items to the men carrying out the plot.
James Feeney and Alfred Ricci are due in Dedham Superior Court for their arraignments later in the week.
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