LAWRENCE, Mass. — Pure emotion burst out in Lawrence District Court Monday morning as 32-year-old Tony Ventura was arraigned on murder charges.
He is accused of murdering his longtime girlfriend, and mother of his two young children, Maria Morton.
Moments after the hearing began, the courtroom was cleared when Morton's brother was pinned down and taken into custody after leaping over the railing as Ventura was brought into the room.
Police say Ventura took to Facebook hours after the murder and confessed to his family.
The prosecutor told the court Ventura strangled Morton early Sunday morning during an argument and then took off in her car.
Later, Ventura allegedly went online, telling his own family what happened, before turning himself in.
In 2007 and 2012, Maria Morton took out restraining orders against Ventura. In 2012, Morton wrote, “I am afraid of him.”
Family members told FOX25 Morton endured domestic abuse for years in an attempt to keep her family together.
Morton’s brother was arrested for his outburst in court, he's charged with disorderly conduct.
Tony Ventura was held without bail.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
