Medford Man Arrested in Connection with 2006 Murder

– Allison Goldsberry

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced today that Tom Evans, of Medford, has been indicted and arrested in connection with the 2006 murder of Paula Doherty, also of Medford.

Evans was indicted yesterday by a Middlesex County Grand Jury on one count each of murder and armed robbery. He was arrested in Somerville by State Police shortly after the indictments were handed down.

Evans was arraigned this morning in Middlesex Superior Court. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail by Judge Diane Kottmyer.

“Paula Doherty was brutally murdered more than one year ago and our investigation did not stop until we had the person we allege to have committed the murder in custody,” said Leone.

According to authorities, on Monday, October 2, 2006, Medford Police responded to 870 Fellsway for a report of an unresponsive female. Police found Doherty unconscious on the floor, suffering from apparent blows to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to District Attorney Leone, Medford Police and State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office began an immediate investigation in the circumstances surrounding Doherty’s death. The Chief Medical Examiner later determined via an autopsy the cause of death to be homicide by blaunt trauma to the head.

Further investigation determined that Doherty, Evans, and others were together at Doherty’s home on Saturday, September 30, 2006.

Witnesses say Evans and Doherty were the last two people that remained together at the residence that night, and authorities believe Doherty’s time of death was later that evening.

The state alleges that Evans stole a large amount of money from Doherty and allegedly struck and killed her during the robbery.

Witnesses accounts and forensic evidence link Evans to the apartment and the alleged robbery. There were no signs of a forced entry into the home.

Evans will be back in court on November 7 for a pre-trial conference.

Assistant District Attorney and PACT Chief John Verner is prosecuting the case.