A Massachusetts man was ordered held without bail Friday in connection with the stabbing death of a man in West Roxbury Sunday morning.
Nathurlon Munnerlyn, 39, was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital at his arraignment in West Roxbury Municipal Court. This came after a court clinician said there were questions about Munnerlyn's competency to stand trial.
Munnerlyn was arrested Wednesday after police allege he made incriminating statements to them.
Authorities say a white powdery substance believed to be drugs was found in a baggie inside the Temple Street apartment where the murder of 40-year-old Brian Sweeney happened.
"It is difficult to have a rational conversation with Mr. Munnerlyn," Assistant District Attorney Tim Bradl said.
A court clinician tried to evaluate Munnerlyn but said he refused – making faces, shaking his head, and appearing to talk to himself throughout the arraignment.
She said Munnerlyn receives services through Mass Mental Health and she questioned his competency to stand trial.
"I don’t trust him, I do not trust him," Munnerlyn said.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
At one point, Munnerlyn even interrupted the judge complaining about his court-appointed attorney.
"I don’t know this attorney and he claims he was appointed by another. I guess the legal system in Boston, Massachusetts, I don’t trust him and I would like to be appointed another attorney," Munnerlyn said.
Authorities did not initially say how Sweeney died, only that he suffered from "undetermined traumatic injuries." In court Friday, prosecutors said he had been fatally stabbed.
Sweeney’s relatives were in court Friday but declined to talk.
A motive for the stabbing is unclear.
Munnerlyn is due back in court on Dec. 11.
