New Bedford District Court arraigns man accused of murdering one of their own

The New Bedford District Courthouse was an emotional scene Monday morning as a man accused of murdering an employee of the court was arraigned before family, friends and co-workers of the victim.

Tyler Dow Baglini, 31, was charged with the murder of 31-year-old Kerri Fidalgo of New Bedford. Fidalgo was a clerk in the probation department at the courthouse.

The probation department was closed Monday as co-workers mourned the loss of Fidalgo. Staff from neighboring courthouses came to support the New Bedford court, including clerks, court officers and chiefs.

Most of the public was asked to step outside courtroom 1 to make room for court employees who joined members of Fidalgo’s family by wearing all black to the arraignment. Many employees and family members could be seen and heard crying as the arraignment began.

Baglini was brought into the courtroom handcuffed by court officers and stood with his attorney. As the clerk began to announce the case and the charges, she became emotional and struggled to read the charging document as friends and family sobbed in their seats.

Presiding Chief Justice Joseph Harrington oversaw the hearing and maintained professionalism as other court staff looked somber during the proceedings.

As Baglini was being taken out of the courtroom, someone from the audience screamed “You should have killed yourself” as family members consoled each other.

Co-worker and friend Karen Swift shared her feelings on the loss of Fidalgo:

“Kerri is and always will be the sweetest soul I’ve ever met. She put all of her friends and family before herself, always making sure everyone was taken care of because that’s the type of person she was. She lost her life to a senseless act of violence while trying to save someone else’s. The world is dark without her here and we will all need to stick together to get through this terrible tragedy but one think I know is her memory and love will live on forever.”

The court staff in New Bedford District Court is a particularly close one. Many staff there consider their co-workers family, making the loss of Fidalgo even more heartbreaking.

Baglini was reportedly the boyfriend of Fidalgo.

Baglini was transferred to Bridgewater State Hospital for further evaluation. The next court hearing in the matter is scheduled for October 11th.