Appeals Court Upholds Peabody Murderer's Conviction: Patch PM

PEABODY, MA — It's Monday, July 6. Here's what Patch is covering on the North Shore and across Massachusetts today.

The state's highest court upheld the conviction of a man who was found guilty in of the 2008 murder of his girlfriend in the Peabody apartment they shared.

Ashley Fernandes, 40, was sentenced to life in prison without parole following his 2012 conviction in the murder of Jessica Herrera, 25. Despite admitting to strangling Herrera on April 5, 2008, Fernandes appealed, saying he was not represented by counsel of his choice, the judge made errors in giving instructions to the jury and that his court-appointed lawyer did not introduce certain evidence.

On Monday, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court shot down his appeal. Read more.

Also On The North Shore

Salem Ice Cream Parlor Reopens Debate: Sprinkles Or Jimmies?

New Englanders have long called chocolate sprinkles on ice cream cones "jimmies." But is the term racist?

More North Shore Properties Facing Flood Risk

A new report estimates that 14.6 million properties across the United States are at substantial risk of flooding, which is a staggering 5.9 million more properties than the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shows on federal government flood maps. We've broken out the data for Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. You can also use a new Flood Factor tool to check the flood risk of your exact address.

Salem Police Chief Retiring

Mary Butler, who had dreamed of being a police officer since she was 12 years old, was the department's first female chief. She will leave at the end of the month to become director of security at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.

Across Massachusetts

The third phase of the state's four-phase coronavirus reopening plan kicked off Monday, although Boston and Somerville opted to delay the start of phase three. Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday said phase four will not begin until therapeutics or a vaccine for COVID-19 are widely available. Experts don't expect that to be until 2021 at the earliest.

Also today....

• Plymouth Beach Shark Closing May Have Been On Porpoise
• Harvard Holding All Courses Online For 2020-21 School Year
• Westwood METCO Alums Use Experience To Spark Change In District
• New Patriot QB Cam Newton: 'I'm Getting Tired Of Being Humble'

And finally today: Major League Baseball will release the schedule for the shortened, 60-game schedule at 6 p.m. tonight. Patch will update the article as soon as the Red Sox schedule is announced.

Dave Copeland covers Peabody and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).