Piantedosi Murder Trial Begins with New Details

The trial for Christopher Piantedosi, the suspect in last year's stabbing murder in Burlington, began at the Middlesex Superior Court last week. 

According to authorities, at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2012, Burlington Police responded to 23 Forbes Avenue for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located a female victim, with clearly fatal stab wounds.  The victim, Kristen Pulisciano, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene in her home.

Burlington Police and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office launched an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the stabbing.  It is alleged that the defendant, who had had a long-standing relationship with the victim, stabbed the victim inside her residence and then fled. 

On May 4, 2012, Piantedosi turned himself in at the Massachusetts State Police barracks in Weston after a warrant had been put out for his arrest. 

After Piantedosi's arrest last year, then Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said the investigation had revealed "much evidence," including; key witnesses, statements, physical evidence, electronic evidence, biological fluid evidence and the murder weapons found on the scene.  

Leone also provided additional information on the family. He said the couple had two children, a son who was 20 years old and a daughter who was 15 at the time. 

Leone said it was the daughter who initially contacted police about the stabbing and stated she was at the house at or about the time of the attack. He did not state if she was ever in danger or not.

During the arraignment last year, at which Piantedosi plead not guilty, authorities said a friend of the daughter witnessed the murder on an electronic device. Authorities said the daughter and the friend had been video chatting when Piantedosi allegedly attacked Pulisciano. 

That friend, identified as Woburn resident Michael Edwards in court and reported in a story in the Boston Herald, spoke in court last week. 

Edwards said that during the attack, Piantedosi was "wide eyed" and had a "clenched jaw" as he stabbed Pulisciano. Edwards said that the woman tried to plead with her attacker, saying "No, Chris, stop, I love you." 

According to the Herald, Defense attorney Michael Collora said he is “not going to dispute the evidence" but suggested his client did not have the "mental capacity and intent" to commit the crime.   

The Piantedosi trial is set to continue Monday, Sept. 9. Stay with Burlington Patch for further updates.