Ryan D. Welch pleads not guilty to murder in death of Jessica Ann Pripstein
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EASTHAMPTON - Prosecutors on Wednesday charged Ryan D. Welch, 36, of Easthampton, with murder in the death of his girlfriend, Jessica Ann Pripstein.
Pripstein, 39, was found dead in her apartment early Monday morning by police who responded to a 911 call in which Pripstein allegedly told the operator that her boyfriend was trying to kill her, according to Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. The DA's office said that Pripstein died from a "sharp-force injury" to her neck.
"This is yet another tragic case of domestic violence, which unfortunately happens all too often in our homes and communities," Sullivan said in a statement. "A beautiful life was lost in this case due to the defendant's violent acts."
According to information released by state police, Pripstein can be heard on the 911 call yelling, "Oh my God, please," before the call was cut off.
When police forced their way inside the apartment, they found Pripstein's lifeless body in the bathroom and Welch in another room, bleeding from a wound on his neck, Sullivan said. State police said three "edged weapons" were recovered from the apartment, but did not elaborate on what types of weapons they were.
Welch was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield with what Sullivan called life-threatening injuries. He was eventually stabilized.
A hospital spokeswoman said she had no information on Welch's condition Wednesday.
Sullivan said medical and law enforcement personnel examined Welch and determined that his wounds were self-inflicted.
Sullivan would not elaborate on the type of weapon used or if it was the same weapon used to attack Pripstein.
Welch was arraigned in his hospital room Wednesday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He will be under the supervision of the Hampshire Sheriff's Department until his release from the hospital, Sullivan said.
Sullivan said Welch is being held without the right to bail, and will be taken to the Hampshire Jail and House of Correction when he is well enough to travel.
Welch's case will begin in Northampton District Court, and Sullivan said he expects the case to be moved into Hampshire Superior Court soon.
Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Bucci said Welch will be represented by attorney Paul Rudof. Attempts to reach Rudof by telephone Wednesday evening were unsuccessful.
A chemical exam to determine if there were drugs in Welch's system has not been done, Sullivan said, but investigators believe there was "some" alcohol in his system the night of the attack.
Welch had been in trouble with the law at least once recently. He was arrested on the night of Feb. 14 on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol after his car veered off Oliver Street and struck a utility pole.
Sullivan said he was not aware of a history of violence between Welch and Pripstein, and Easthampton police said this was the first time they had been called to Pripstein's address.
According to state police, an interview with a witness revealed that Pripstein had expressed concerns about Welch's behavior and attitude the night before the attack. Police released no specifics about that statement.
Sullivan said his understanding is that Welch was not employed and spent some of his evenings at Pripstein's apartment.
Entry blocked
When officers arrived at Pripstein's apartment, according to state police, no one answered the door. Officers spotted blood when they peered inside a window, prompting them to force their way into the apartment.
Police found a futon placed in front of the door in an apparent attempt to block entry into the apartment. Police also found that the rear door of the apartment had been dead-bolted and barricaded with personal belongings. The apartment's cellar door also had a pile of belongings stacked in front of it, according to the DA's office.
Police found Pripstein lying face down in a pool of blood on the bathroom floor and Welch unconscious in a bedroom of the apartment with an "extensive laceration" to his throat, according to state police.
Pripstein was pronounced dead at the scene by the Easthampton Fire Department, according to state police.
State police interviewed Welch in the hospital Tuesday. He said he had found Pripstein on the bathroom floor of the apartment and decided to slit his own throat.
Welch lives in the Easthampton Lodging House, a rooming house at 75 Oliver St. that offers 23 rooms of transitional, low-cost housing. Residents at the house Wednesday either declined to talk about Welch or said they did not know him.
Constantine Adamo, owner of Adamo's Pizzeria on Northampton Street, said Pripstein had worked on and off as a part-time waitress at the restaurant since 2007, while also working full-time at the Liora Gabrielle Skin Care salon on Gothic Street in Northampton.
"She was incredible - she was a workaholic," Adamo said. "I don't know how she did it."
He said she was a people person. "She was very social. She was meant to be working with people," he said.
He said Pripstein worked at the restaurant Sunday night, but left alone. Adamo said he did not know Welch.
Liora Gabrielle Skin Care owner Lori Morgan said the salon was closed due to Pripstein's death. Morgan said she was not able to talk about the loss of her longtime employee.
Comments
Loss of a friend
I am so very sad to have heard that she died from this horific death. I have worked with her back in 1999 when i was a banquet chef at the Hotel Northampton. She was my food purchaser and receiver and have hung out with her after work with fellow workers from the Hotel. She was very professional and funny. I will missed her tremendously. RIp Jessica.