‘House of Horrors’ trial underway for Blackstone mother charged with infant deaths

By: Daniel Keith

Email: dkeith@abc6.com

Twitter: @DKeithABC6

WORCESTER, Mass. (WLNE) – The trial is underway for the Blackstone woman accused of killing two of her own babies after their remains were uncovered during a search of her home.

Erika Murray, had four children living inside the home that were removed by the state.

A court-authorized police search of the home uncovered the skeletal remains of three infants.

Murray waived her right to a jury trial and is facing murder charges for two of those infant deaths.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Hodgens said Murray created two worlds for her kids, one for the wanted and one for the unwanted.

“These worlds collided quite by accident on the afternoon of Aug.  28, 2014,” Hodgens said in court Monday. “A veil of secrecy was lifted.”

Lawyers for Murray said the case had nothing to do with criminal conduct — but rather mental illness.

They said Murray panicked and was under emotional abuse by the children’s father.

The case came to light when a neighbor, Betsy Brown, was asked by Murray’s son to help the babies stop crying while Murray was out of town.

She found two babies in the home living in squalor and covered in filth.

Brown testified in court Tuesday morning.

“As soon as I opened the door I could hear the crying,” Brown said.

Brown found dirty diapers in piles, garbage across the whole house, and even saw maggots in baby bottles.

“It was the worst smell I ever smelt,” said Brown.

Two children were found alone by Brown and covered in feces.

Brown took off her shirt to clean the youngest child who was about six months old.

“It didn’t look like she had ever been touched,” Brown said. “It didn’t look like [she was] cared for at all.”

Murray’s lawyer said his goal is to focus on facts as he feels the witnesses are stretching the truth because of how disturbing the case is.

Murray’s lawyer did not say if Murray will testify.

The trial picks back up tomorrow, June 5 at 9:00 a.m.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019