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July 7, 2008

Update: Suspect arraigned in Pawtucket woman's murder

PROVIDENCE -- A suspect in the murder of Pawtucket woman was arraigned today on the murder charge as well as two prior domestic charges that allegedly involved the same victim.

Juan Diaz, 24, had waived his right to extradition after being arrested by police in Albany, N.Y., after the June 25 murder of 26-year-old Mayra Cruz in Pawtucket.

Diaz faced charges for a January incident in which he's accused of breaking into Mayra Cruz's house, striking and choking her, and ripping the telephone off the wall.

He also faced charges of violating a no-contact order following the January arrest.

About a half-dozen of Cruz's family members and friends appeared today in District Court, where Diaz was arraigned on the murder and assault charges, wearing T-shirts with pictures of Cruz and the words “Gone, but not forgotten.”

Diaz wept during his appearance to face the murder charge, but seemed composed by the time he faced a judge for violating the no-contact order.

Police were sent to Diaz's apartment on June 25 after Diaz called and said he had accidentally shot Cruz during a struggle. When the police arrived, Diaz was gone, and Cruz was dead in the apartment.

The state medical examiner’s office said she had died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Diaz is being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer John Castellucci

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson  at 5:13 PM | Permalink

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