Trial Begins for Man Accused of Murdering Jamaica Plain Mother

Photo Credit: Facebook

Opening statements were made Tuesday in the murder trial of Philip E. Carrington, the man accused of murdering his girlfriend, Celestine Walker, at her Jamaica Plain home back in 2013.

Walker, a mother of nine, was found dead at her home on May 20, 2013, and Carrington allegedly made statements that he had killed her. At the start of the trial though, Carrington’s defense suggested someone else murdered Walker, the Boston Globe reported.

According to the newspaper, the defense played a recording in which Walker told Carrington others wanted to “choke” her. At the time of the recording, Carrington was being held on an unrelated crime.

Carrington’s defense reportedly highlighted an array of errors made by Boston police during the course of their murder investigation, including failure to look into who Walker was talking to on the recording.

“They never tried to figure out who was trying to choke her,” defense attorney Martin Murphy said.

The prosecution argued police were thorough with their investigation and that there was no “rush to judgement” with charging Carrington.

Walker’s body was found in a decomposed state at her apartment in the Bromley Heath housing development, according to investigators. Witnesses claim they saw Carrington assault Walker.

Carrington previously pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He’s due back in court Wednesday.