Entwistle trial begins in wife, infant deaths

WOBURN. Neil Entwistle’s trial in the tragic deaths of his wife and 9-month-old girl begins today in Middlesex Superior Court. Entwistle faces two counts of first-degree murder after the bodies were found shot to death in their Hopkinton home in 2006.

According to authorities, Entwistle, a 27-year-old computer programmer, fled to his parents’ home in Worksop,  England after firing two .22-caliber bullets into his wife, Rachel, and 9-month-old daughter, Lillian Rose, because he was despondent over mounting debt and dissatisfied with his sex life.

In the days before the killings, authorities say he conducted online searches about murder and suicide, including, “how to kill with a knife” and “how to kill self.”

According to the timeline described by prosecutors, Entwistle drove 50 miles to his in-laws’ house in Carver after the shootings and returned a .22-caliber handgun he had taken earlier from his father-in-law’s gun case. Entwistle’s DNA was found on the grip of the gun and DNA matching Rachel was found on the muzzle, court documents said.

Authorities found Entwistle’s BMW — with the keys inside — at Logan International Airport. Entwistle bought a one-way ticket to England and boarded the flight an hour later with no luggage.

Entwistle’s defense attorneys have proclaimed his innocence, but have not given any hint of their trial strategy.

Attorney Elliot Weinstein has repeatedly said he is concerned that Entwistle cannot receive a fair trial because of the extensive media coverage. The judge Friday denied a request to move the trial.