Woburn Woman Wants Attempted Murder Charges Dropped

One Woburn resident is looking to have an attempted murder charge against her dropped, which stems from an incident in May.

Two women, including one from Woburn, were indicted on attempted murder charges back in September after a badly beaten woman was pulled from a swamp, the Middlesex DA’s office previously announced,

Melissa Buono, 20, of Woburn, and Katelin Gallo, 19, of Burlington, are formally charged with attempted murder, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury and two counts of assault and battery.

Buono appeared in Woburn Superior Court Friday seeking a dismissal of the attempted murder charge, the Advocate reports.

On the morning of May 9, 2015, Woburn police responded to Locust Street after learning of a female victim that had pulled from an area swamp. Police said the woman was covered in mud. The victim suffered severe facial injuries, but did survive the incident.

Buono and Gallo allegedly assaulted the victim before throwing her into the swamp. The two repeatedly threatened the woman while the attack was taking place, investigators allege.

Buono’s defense attorney argued it was Gallo who fought the victim before falling into the swamp, while Buono watched the incident from afar.

“Choke her out. Punch her in the face,” Buono allegedly taunted from a nearby hill. According to Buono’s attorney, her remarks do not equate to an attempted murder charge.

Jessica Hogan is the prosecutor assigned to the case. She argued that Buono encouraged and commanded Gallo what to do. Hogan requested a motion to deny the request for dismissal. The motion is currently under consideration.

Buono is a 2013 graduate of Woburn High School, court documents stated.