(ALLAN JUNG)
Defense Attorney Blake Rubin address the judge as James E Marsh is arraigned at Leominster District Court. At left is Assistant District Attorney Brett Dillon.

LEOMINSTER — Police responded to a 911 call at 209 Union St. on Friday, finding a man sitting on his couch next to a body under a sheet. The man pointed the gun at the responding officer. After a four-hour standoff, it was found out that the woman was dead.

James E. Marsh, 65, of 209 Union St., was arraigned on Monday on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, a gun, on Leominster Officer Tiffany Beaupre, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, causing serious bodily injury, upon his wife, Ann Marsh.

“During an altercation with his wife at home, he shot and killed his wife. The police responded to the home responded to the home, and he pointed the firearm at the responding police officer,” according to  Assistant District Attorney Brett Dillon, speaking in court on Monday.

In the 911 call at 2:55 p.m., the caller gave the address of 209 Union St., then disconnected the call, according to court records.

Officer Beaupre reported that when she and Officer Kyle Abazorius arrived at the home, she saw an unlocked side door at 3:04 p.m. Not getting any response from anyone in the house, they sought and got approval from supervisors to enter the house. Beaupre said she heard what she thought was a moaning sound and believed that someone was in medical distress.

According to court records, “As Officer Beaupre made her way through the residence, she observed an adult male seated on a couch. Officer Beaupre spoke with the male and asked if he was okay. During this interaction, Officer Beaupre believed the male was holding a firearm pointed in her direction.”

“Officer Beaupre further believed she observed a second individual on the couch, covered with a blanket and not moving.”

She then left the house, taking a defensive position outside, court records state, shouting “Gun!” over her police radio.

Marsh then barricaded himself in the house, and a four-hour standoff ensued. The Leominster Police, members of the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations Unit, including hostage negotiation personnel and state police detectives arrived on scene. And police had a drone camera in the sky monitoring the scene.

Eventually, at 7: 29 p.m., police were able to talk Marsh into surrendering peacefully, and he came out of the house and was arrested.

Checking the house, officers found Marsh’s wife, Ann Marsh, lying dead on the couch, with an obvious head injury.

A plea of not guilty was filed by the court on Marsh’s behalf. Public defender Blake Rubin filed to preserve the evidence. Marsh was scheduled for a dangerousness hearing on Friday.