Fall River couple enter not guilty plea on murder charges Monday in death of autistic boy

A Fall River couple was arraigned on murder and other charges in Superior Court Monday in connection with the October, 2020 death of a 14-year-old Fall River boy and the abuse of one of his triplet brothers.

On March 26th, a Bristol County Grand Jury indicted John Almond, 33, and Jacyln Marie Coleman, 26,​ on charges of Second Degree Murder and Neglect of a Disabled Person–Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Jaclyn Marie Coleman was also indicted on a charge of Withholding Evidence From an Official Proceeding. This indictment relates to the allegation that Coleman attempted to destroy a cell phone in the presence of police officers.

Monday April 12th, Almond and Coleman were arraigned in Fall River on the above charges and entered a not guilty plea. Both are committed without bail.

​At around 7:45 a.m. on October 21st, Fall River Police received a 911 call regarding an unresponsive male at 107 Green Street. When police arrived on scene, they found David Almond to be covered in feces and living in abhorrent conditions.

David Almond, who suffered from an intellectual disability, was rushed to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

During the course of the investigation, police and prosecutors also determined that one of David Almond’s triplet brothers, Michael Almond, was the victim of neglect. On October 21, 2020, he was found in emaciated condition and was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for treatment.

David Almond was 5’10” and approximately 80 pounds at the time he was discovered by authorities. The other brother that was at the residence is about the same build.

During the arraignment, it was stated that preliminary exams revealed that both brothers had fentanyl in their system. Heroin was reportedly found in the apartment.

Coleman is not the mother of the triplets, but had a child that was living at the residence.

Both defendants were previously arraigned in Fall River District Court on charges of caretaker neglect of a disabled person and possession of a Class A drug.

“The facts and circumstances relating to the indictments are extremely disturbing and egregious. I want to thank the prosecutors for their efforts in investigating. We look forward to prosecuting these matters in superior court.,” District Attorney Quinn said.

A bail hearing is set for May 26th.