Leominster Man Charged With Wife's Death After Hours Long Standoff: DA's Office

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester man was charged with his wife's death following an hours-long standoff with police, according to the Worcester District Attorney's Office.

James Marsh, 64, was arraigned Monday on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, the district attorney's office said.

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Marsh was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Friday, according to the district attorney's office.

Shortly before 3 p.m. the day after Christmas, Leominster police responded to a Union Street residence to investigate a 911 call, the district attorney's office said in a media release.

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"A man was taken into custody after a multi-hour standoff by members of the Leominster Police Department, Mass. State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, Mass. State Police Special Tactical Operations (STOP) Unit, Mass. State Police K-9 Unit, and the Mass. State Police Crisis Negotiation Unit," the release said.

"A female was located inside the residence and pronounced deceased at the scene," the release said.

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MassLive reported Marsh's wife, Ann Marsh, 62, was on a couch, "covered with a blanket and not moving."

James Marsh was also on the couch and armed with a gun, according to 7 News Boston.

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During an "altercation with his wife at home, (James Marsh) shot and killed his wife, and when police responded to the home, pointed a firearm at the responding police officers,” prosecutor Brett Dillon said in the 7 News Boston story.

Marsh also pointed a gun at a police officer, according to WCVB.

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