The alleged criminal, Luckenson King Pablo, appeared before the court for the third time on Monday.
The hearing was held at the Suffolk County Superior Court after his case was transferred from the Chelsea District Court.
At 9:30 AM, Melissa Janvier Pablo’s mother, accompanied by several family members, including Andarling Dona and Kerline Semexant, awaited the proceedings. Glenique Janvier Balan, overwhelmed with emotion, struggled to hold back her tears.
As we waited for the attorneys from the Suffolk District and Luckenson K. Pablo’s defense team to arrive, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ prosecutor explained the legal process to the family. But Glenique seemed distracted, lost in thoughts of her daughter, taken too soon by Luckenson King Pablo.
At 10:20 AM, we were finally invited into the courtroom for the brief hearing. Around twenty people were present, while about ten others attended virtually via Zoom, likely for other cases.
At 10:21 AM, presiding judge Edward Curley opened the hearing in the case of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. Luckenson King Pablo. Court officers were sent to retrieve the accused.
At 10:26 AM, the alleged criminal entered the courtroom. Relaxed and smiling, dressed in a sky-blue shirt, Luckenson King Pablo avoided eye contact with Melissa Janvier Pablo’s family. He showed no sign of remorse. The judge instructed the clerk to read the order of appearance to the accused. After the reading, he was asked to enter a plea. “Not guilty,” he replied. A shock for Melissa Janvier Pablo’s loved ones, but not unexpected at this stage of the proceedings, as the prosecutor explained. She reminded the court of the charges against Luckenson King Pablo and requested that he remain in custody until trial.
“Given the severity of the crime, the risk of flight, and the discovery of a .40 caliber firearm at his residence, Luckenson King Pablo poses a threat to society,” argued the Commonwealth’s prosecutor.
His defense attorney countered by emphasizing that before his wife’s murder, Luckenson King Pablo had no prior criminal record. “He is a good man, a hard worker who provided for himself. This tragic event was an unexpected incident,” he claimed. He also pointed out that Luckenson did not attempt to flee after the crime and had called the police himself, though officers were already on their way to arrest him.
After hearing both sides, the judge ruled in favor of the Commonwealth. “Considering the gravity of the crime, Luckenson King Pablo faces a possible life sentence. Therefore, he is not eligible for bail,” Judge Edward Curley announced.
At 10:32 AM, the judge set April 29 as the date for the pre-trial conference, during which an official trial date will be determined.
At 10:34 AM, he ordered officers to escort the accused back to where he belongs: prison.
At 10:35 AM, the hearing was adjourned. The state prosecutor accompanied the family to answer their questions and provide further details on the legal process.
Glenique had no questions. She remained lost in thought, grappling with the painful reality that she would never see her only daughter again—her 33-year-old child, the family’s beacon of hope. But Luckenson King Pablo had decided otherwise. Without remorse.
