MA Highest Court Upholds Conviction Of Wayland Man In Murder Of Ex-girlfriend

WAYLAND, MA — The state's highest court weighed in on whether a Wayland man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend more than 14 years ago was mentally ill at the time and if he should get a new trial, according to court records.

Nathaniel Fujita was sentenced to life in prison for the July 2011 murder of 18-year-old Lauren Astley, who was killed shortly after the two graduated from Wayland High School. Prosecutors said Fujita strangled Astley and slashed her neck at his home before leaving her body in a swampy area off Water Row.

Related: Fujita Found Guilty In Murder Of Ex-Girlfriend

The SJC denied a motion for a new trial on Thursday.

During an initial trial, the defense argued Fujita suffered a brief psychotic episode when he killed Astley, a claim jurors rejected. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Years later, in 2020, Fujita's lawyer motioned for a retrial, citing newly discovered evidence that he developed schizophrenia years after the murder, according to court records. A Middlesex Superior Court judge denied that motion.

The defense appealed, asking the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to review the superior court's decision.

On Thursday, the SJC confirmed that Fujita was mentally ill, but ruled that the superior court judge did not err when denying his motion for a new trial.

"The jury's finding that the defendant was criminally responsible for the murder was overwhelmingly supported by evidence, even in light of post-trial developments," court records read.

Fujita will continue his sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

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