A Massachusetts man, just days after being bailed out of jail by his girlfriend, has been arrested and charged in connection with her death.
40-year-old Eric Griffin, who was out on a $250 cash bail that had been posted by his girlfriend, 39-year-old Jennifer Kalicki on Sept. 11, was taken back into custody Monday.
According to legal records and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Griffin has been charged with assault and battery on a household or family member, reported NY Post.
Kalicki’s dead body was found covered with cuts and bruises Sunday morning, in an apartment in Tewksbury that the couple shared.
According to a police report, the victim’s shirt had also been ripped open at the chest, reported the Lowell Sun.
The previous day, Kalicki had reportedly sent a barrage of texts to Griffin’s sister, asking for her help, telling her that Griffin was “losing it.”
“He’s ripped the door open. Choked me, slammed me to the ground,” read the text messages. “Please help me. He’s losing it…I just need help. I’m tired of him making me the victim.”
“During those text messages, the victim was begging the defendant’s sister for help,” said prosecutor Suzanne Wiseman in court.
“She also indicated in those text messages that the defendant slammed her on the ground and the defendant had strangled her,” she added.
According to Boston 25, the sister didn’t end up calling 911. However, Griffin placed a call after he woke up and found Kalicki unresponsive. He claims the couple argued but denies having injured her, saying she hurt herself.
“The fact that she called her abuser’s sister for help tells me that she felt completely incapable of seeking help from police or prosecutors, the people that are supposed to protect her,” said Wendy Murphy, a former prosecutor, and women’s advocate.
Griffin, who pleaded not guilty, is being held without bail until his next hearing which is scheduled for Friday. The bail Kalicki had posted prior was for charges of possessing a Class B drug with the intent to distribute.
According to CBS Boston, Kalicki’s mother, Kathy Gadd, told reporters that her daughter was afraid of Griffin.
“He murdered her. He murdered her,” she said. “There’s no two ways about it. I want him to get the most they can give him.”
“I just hate him. I hate him so much,” Gadd also said. “And he’s going to try and say he’s sorry. That’s the type of person he is. He’s not sorry. He’s just sorry he got caught.”
The investigation is ongoing, and the cause of death has yet to be determined.
