Brian Walshe, who is accused of murdering his missing wife, briefly appeared in a Massachusetts courtroom on Wednesday as his lawyer requested more time to review incoming evidence.
Ana Walshe, 39, was last seen in her Cohasset home between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on New Year’s Day in 2023. Her husband, 49-year-old Brian Walshe, reported her missing three days later.
Police arrested Brian Walshe for misleading the police on January 8, 2023. Additional charges of murder and improper conveyance, or transport, of a human body were added later. Brian Walshe has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Ana Walshe’s body has not been found yet.
Brian Walshe’s attorney, Larry Tipton, asked for the case to be continued to December 2 to give the defense time to review discovery and refine their argument.
“There is a lot of discovery that is forthcoming, some of which addresses some of our reports,” Tipton said. “So I think it’s a waste of time to argue this extensive motion.”
Brian Walshe appeared in court on Wednesday for a brief hearing. He is accused of murdering his missing wife, Ana Walshe.
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Prosecutors did not object to the defense’s request. Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone approved the continuance.
Brian Walshe, who was handcuffed, stood to acknowledge Cannone and nodded when she spoke to him directly. Cannone said that Walshe can be present at the hearing on December 2 if he chooses.
“We’ll bring you back, Mr. Walshe, but if you don’t want to come, let us know,” she said.
The defense and prosecution also discussed the prosecution’s motion for a protective order.
“The Commonwealth has filed a motion for a protective order for some of the stuff. Right now, we don’t object to a protective order,” Tipton said. “What our understanding is that we can share information with Mr. Walshe, but we’re not going to give him hard copies.”
Prosecutors said that they agree with the defense’s understanding of the protective order.
The last hearing in the case was in June. During the proceeding, prosecutors gave updates on the ongoing discovery process. Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor said he would receive DNA results by the end of the month, but those results were not discussed on Wednesday.
A trial date has not been set yet. Brian Walshe is being held without bail at Norfolk County Correctional Center.
Prosecutors allege that Brian searched Google for How long before a body starts to smell,” “Dismemberment and the best ways to dispose of a body” and “Can you be charged with murder without a body.”
Investigators found blood, a bloody knife and tarps during a search conducted at the Walshes’ home.
At a dumpster near the apartment complex where Brian’s mother lives, officials found garbage bags containing rugs, cleaning products, the boots Ana was last seen wearing, a hacksaw, her purse, a piece of a necklace she owned, towels and a COVID-19 vaccine card in her name. Prosecutors also claim that Brian suspected his wife was cheating on him. He also allegedly searched “Best state to file a divorce for a man.”
Another high-profile trial
Cannone is also presiding over the Karen Read murder retrial.
Read is facing charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death. She is accused of striking her boyfriend John O’Keefe, who worked as a Boston police officer for 16 years, with her car and leaving him to die in 2022.
Judge Beverly Cannone denied a motion to dismiss two of the charges against Karen Read on Friday. Read is accused of hitting her boyfriend with her car and leaving him to die.
Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool
Her first trial, which began on April 16, ended in a mistrial on July 1. The jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on the fifth day of deliberations. Read’s retrial is scheduled to begin on January 27.
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