WORCESTER - A 56-year-old woman found dead inside her Bailey Street home Saturday night was allegedly killed by her son, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia several years ago.
John Madulka, 26, was arraigned Tuesday on a murder charge. He is accused of killing his mother, Ellen Madulka, with "blunt force," according to prosecutors.
In court Tuesday, Mr. Madulka was ordered held without bail and was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a psychological evaluation. Earlier at the courthouse, Mr. Madulka underwent a brief evaluation at the request of his lawyer, Michael Hussey.
The forensic psychologist who examined Mr. Madulka said the defendant cut short the interview, but she was able to determine that Mr. Madulka had not been taking medications for seven months, triggering ”acute symptoms” of schizophrenia.
Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Simmons and Mr. Hussey agreed to the terms of bail and a more extensive evaluation, which Mr. Hussey said will help determine whether Mr. Madulka is competent to stand trial.
Officers were sent to 29 Bailey St. about 11:30 p.m. Saturday when Mr. Madulka's father called police and told a dispatcher that his son had called him and said he’d killed his mother.
Assessor records list the homeowner at 29 Bailey St. as Michael T. Madulka.
Police, in scanner transmissions, indicated they had been to the residence in the past for various reasons. Upon arrival Saturday, officers found the body of Ms. Madulka.
John Madulka, according to his lawyer, is upset and confused. Mr. Hussey said the facts of the case seem to indicate that he may not have “thought about getting away with it.
“It’s hard to figure out what was going on in his head,” Mr. Hussey said. “I think he was tremendously sick; I think he was tremendously confused.”
After the call to his father, Mr. Madulka was found by police at a Dunkin' Donuts on Chandler Street. Police originally charged him with aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and domestic assault and battery.
The charge was later upgraded to murder.
Mr. Madulka allegedly told police he had been thinking about killing his mother recently and that during the alleged assault he struck her in the head 10 times with a "metal staff," according to court records. He then stabbed her, according to court documents.
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