1-20-2023 9:46pm

Brendon Owen: Motion Denied

Alan Earls Editor

Above, Judge Douglas A. Wilkins, Norfolk Superior Court on Friday afternoon

With all the recent focus on the murder of Ana Walshe in Cohassett, many may have temporarily forgotten Franklin's infamous spousal murder case: the death of Shirley Owen, allegedly at the hands of her estranged husband, Brendon Owen.

It was on the morning of December 17, 2021, when police say he murdered his former wife, assaulted his former mother-in-law, and set fire to the Franklin home of his wife and children. And the probable cause hearing for that matter was held just over a year ago, on January 19, 2022. Since that time, Owen has been in custody and the case remains pending in Norfolk Superior Court.

Yesterday, Friday, January 20, 2023, there was a status hearing scheduled in Court Room 25, Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, under Judge Douglas A. Wilkins. Owen and his attorney were supposed to be present, but at the last moment his attorney reported he was sick and he and Owen participated in the brief hearing via Zoom.

Not much happened other than confirmation of further status hearings in the future and a likely trial date by summer.

But in an unexpected move, through his attorney, Neil Madden, Owen asked the court to authorize the return to him of several personal items in his possession at the time of his arrest, in particular a wristwatch.

But this, it was pointed out, was an item found to be spattered with blood and, thus, a part of the prosecution's evidence. "Motion denied," was Judge Wilkins immediate response.