Charges Upgraded in Death of Medway Man

A Milford man accused in the May beating death of a Medway man has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge.

John Bonnell, 61, pleaded not guilty to the charge Friday, Sept. 18, during his arraignment in Worcester Superior Court. Judge William Ritter ordered Bonnell held without bail.

The upgraded charge stems from the May 1 death of Michael Albro, 54, of Medway. Bonnell had initially been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury and assault with intent to murder. A Worcester County grand jury indicted him last week on the first-degree murder charge.

Milford police responded May 1 to a request for emergency assistance at Birmingham Court, a Milford Housing Authority property, following an altercation involving Bonnell and Albro.

Albro suffered serious injuries and was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where he later died.

Bonnell was taken into custody and initially held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on May 11. He was subsequently ordered held following that hearing.

Under Massachusetts law, a conviction for first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Bonnell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.