WORCESTER, Mass. — The man charged in the deaths of a West Brookfield family has pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder.
The case sent fear throughout central Massachusetts earlier this year when a mother and her three children were found stabbed to death in their home.
The prime suspect, Matthew Locke, pleaded not guilty to the four charges in Worcester Superior Court Wednesday.
The 32-year old from Ware looked straight ahead and showed little emotion as he was formally charged with four counts of murder.
Prosecutors say Locke stabbed 38-year-old Sara Bermudez and her three children, Madison, age 8, James, 6, and Michael, 2.
Their bodies were found in their West Brookfield home on March 1 with evidence they may have been burned. Part of the home had also been set on fire.
According to the charges, all four were killed the day before.
Investigators have not said anything about a motive in the case. But they say DNA evidence ties Locke to the crime scene.
Locke is the cousin of Sara Bermudez's husband.
He's been behind bars since his initial arrest back in March, when police accused him of lying to investigators.
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