MANCHESTER, CT. (WFSB) -
A Manchester man who was arrested in connection with the triple homicide of his mother and two other tenants two years ago was arraigned for first time in court Tuesday.
On Nov. 10, 2010, the bodies of Beverly Therrien, Michael Ramsey and Pamela Johns were found inside a residence on Naomi Drive during a welfare check. According to East Hartford police, blood was found spattered from the floors to ceiling.
All three died of severe head injuries, according to the medical examiner's office. The victims were beaten badly over and over with "a hammer type weapon or other blunt force object" until their skulls fractured, according to court documents.
East Hartford police arrested Brett D. Bednarz, 48, of Rachel Road at his sister's apartment on Monday morning. Therrien is Bednarz's mother, whom he had a long history of abusing, according to police.
The courts ordered Bednarz to stay away from his mother after he was arrested for pushing her with a broomstick. From February 2010 until the murder in November, the police were called to the house nine times.
Bednarz is charged with three counts of murder, first-degree burglary, home invasion, criminal violation of a protective order and capital felony murder.
On Tuesday, he appeared in Superior Court in Manchester.
The judge kept his bond at $3 million, however Bednarz's defense attorney thought the bond was "overly excessive." He added that his client is not a "flight risk" and cooperated with two search and seizure warrants.
Bednarz's sister Candace attended court on Tuesday, but did not speak with Eyewitness News.
"I find it hard to believe she doesn't know anything about it," said Brett's half brother David Bednarz.
David Bednarz told Eyewitness News he wants the defense to pursue the death penalty in the case.
"It's tough, justice will be due. It'll happen," he said. "Unfortunately, I hope he gets put to death. That's the way I feel about it. Take his rights away from him, you don't just kill your mother."
David Bednarz, who was frustrated that an arrest was not made sooner, said being in court Tuesday was difficult for him.
"I started to break down in tears almost, because why, I still don't understand why," he said. "You don't just kill your mom because things ain't working out."
According to court documents, Bednarz confessed to the killings to two different inmates when he was locked up on unrelated charges last year.
Police found a tissue that tested positive for the suspect's DNA. A bloody sock print was found at the crime scene, which is consistent with Bednarz's size 13.
"There was too much evidence out there," David Bednarz said. "I was told it is all due to Meriden in forensic lab taking so long."
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