Winchester Public Library set to reopen for first time since fatal stabbing

WINCHESTER, Mass. — The Winchester Public Library will reopen Tuesday afternoon for the first time since a 22-year-old woman was stabbed to death Saturday.

Outside the library, the memorial to Deanne Stryker is a reminder of the of the random attack that took the young medical student’s life.

MORE: Man accused of stabbing woman to death inside library held without bail

Jeffrey Yao, 23, had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf Monday for murder and attempted murder charges.

Prosecutors described the random attack, and afterward his defense attorney pointed to Yao’s history of “extreme mental illness” as related to this case.

MORE: DA identifies young woman stabbed to death at Winchester Public Library

When prosecutors said Yao attacked Stryker, a 77-year-old man, Lester Taber, intervened, trying to save her.

He spoke to Boston 25 News briefly on Monday.

“I suffered a wound on my arm, approximately five inches long,” he said. “You know, it’s a tragic situation. I express my condolences to the family of that young girl.”

Prosecutors said police arrested Yao in September after he tried to break into a neighbor’s home. Court record show Yao told officers he was “having voices in his head.”

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He received one year of probation after being ordered to undergo mental health treatment.

Yao is being held without bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for April.

Winchester Public Library is set to reopen at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Cox Media Group