By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
A New York man and a Pawtucket woman were held without bail Thursday, charged with the shooting death of a woman in her Baxter St. home at about 8:15 on the evening of New Year’s Day.
Police said they arrested Jack Doherty, 23 of Albany, N.Y. and Shaylyn Moran, 18 of Pawtucket, soon after neighbors called about hearing multiple gunshots. Police arrived at 100 Baxter St. to find the victim, Cheryl Smith, 54 suffering multiple gunshot wounds to her chest. She died a short time later at Rhode Island Hospital.
Police recovered a 9mm handgun as Doherty was arrested.
Appearing separately In District Court in Providence on Thursday, Judge Joseph Houlihan entered not guilty pleas for the couple to first-degree murder and conspiracy charges. Doherty was additionally charged with several firearms counts and with assaulting a police officer. He ordered that they be held without bail pending a bail hearing on January 16, and referred both to the public defender’s office.
There was no explanation by police, as officers were seen removing numerous apparent marijuana plants from the Baxter St. home. Their public defender waived the reading of the charges, foreclosing disclosure of any further details of the case.
