Not guilty plea from alleged Lauren Astley killer
(CBS/AP) WOBURN, Mass. - Nathaniel Fujita, a Wayland teenager accused of killing and dumping the body of his ex-girlfriend Lauren Astley in a marshy area of town, has been ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty to murder and assault charges.
Pictures: Lauren Astley and Nathaniel Fujita
Fujita was arraigned Tuesday in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn, more than seven weeks after he was arrested for allegedly killing 18-year-old Astley.Astley was found with a gaping wound to her throat, according to prosecutors, and a bungee cord wrapped around her neck. Astley was killed by strangulation from "a ligature and a wound to her neck using a sharp object," reports CBS station WBZ.
At Fujita's home, police say they found blood on the floor of the garage and a bungee cord nearby. There was also blood found on a door handle, the kitchen floor, the kitchen sink and a bathroom sink. Investigators say they later found Fujita's bloody clothes and sneakers in a crawl space by his bedroom. The clothes also had dirt consistent with being in a marsh.
The couple had dated for several years but had recently split. Both Astley and Fujita graduated from Wayland High School this year.
Astley was last seen at work on July 3. A cyclist found her body the next morning several miles from her car. Authorities say evidence of the slaying was found in Fujita's home.
Fujita is due back in court September 22 for a pre-trial conference.
Complete coverage of Lauren Astley on Crimesider
