Former Fitchburg woman, out on bail facing murder charge, OK'd for move to Worcester from Holyoke
WORCESTER — A former Fitchburg woman out on bail as she faces a murder charge was cleared Monday for a move to Worcester from Holyoke.
Wanda L. Gonzalez, who prosecutors allege stabbed her girlfriend to death in 2018 in the presence of three children, received approval following a brief hearing in Worcester Superior Court.
Gonzalez — who was hospitalized after the stabbing, and has argued through her lawyer that the slain woman attacked her — has been living in Holyoke under GPS monitoring for about a year, court records show.
It was unclear from Monday’s court proceeding exactly why she wished to relocate to Worcester, or with whom she would be living. The address where she will be staying was not stated in court and did not appear to be listed in public court records.
Gonzalez’s lawyer, John Swomley, told Superior Court Judge James Gavin Reardon Jr. that the address change would be “easier for all of us.”
Assistant District Attorney Courtney Sans argued against the change of residence, noting that her office has consistently argued against Gonzalez being released in the first place.
Sans said that, in addition to the serious nature of the charge, it is concerning that Gonzalez has no ties to Massachusetts.
Sans has noted in prior court hearings that Gonzalez’ sole tie to the state was Jennifer Narvaez-Colon, the woman she is accused of murdering.
Reardon, who set bail at $25,000 for Gonzalez in February 2021 following a hearing, noted Monday that the woman has successfully abided by the conditions of release he imposed.
Court records show she is on house arrest with GPS monitoring and is only allowed to leave home under limited circumstances like legal and medical appointments.
Reardon said that, based on Gonzalez’ record of compliance, he believed the motion to be reasonable. He noted being closer to Worcester should make it easier for Gonzalez to attend court hearings and be monitored by probation.
Not mentioned publicly at Monday’s hearing was a concern that emerged last week regarding a report that one of two people that posted Gonzalez’s bail had requested their money back.
Lawyers held a sidebar — a conversation held out of earshot of the public — at the start of Monday's hearing. They did not discuss the matter during the open portion of the proceeding.
Asked about the topic after the hearing, Swomley told the Telegram & Gazette that he did not believe there is any issue regarding his client’s bail.
“Everything’s fine,” he said.
Gonzalez is due back in court March 29 for a status hearing.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Former Fitchburg woman facing murder charge, out on bail, will move to Worcester
