Man Bought Gun In Idaho Before Killing Braintree Nurse: DA

BRAINTREE, MA — A Marshfield man police said killed his former Braintree neighbor was long fixated on the victim's family and plotted to kill her for some time, according to prosecutors.

Robert Bonang, 61, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to murder, two counts of carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Prosecutors said Bonang shot and killed Laurie Melchionda, 59, a member of the Braintree Board of Health and former school nurse in town. She also was the director of health services for Weston Public Schools.

On June 17, police were called to Melchionda's home on Howie Road and found her suffering from several gunshot wounds, prosecutors said. Melchionda was taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth and was pronounced dead.

A witness told police she saw Bonang dressed as a UPS delivery deliver and holding a box in front of Melchionda's home, prosecutors said. Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor said there was a rifle in the box.

According to prosecutors, Bonang lived on Howie Road for his entire life until his father died six years ago. Connor said Bonang blamed Melchionda and her family for having to sell his family home and move to Marshfield.

Prosecutors said Bonang then traveled to Idaho several times to buy guns. Because Idaho is a "cash and carry" state, prosecutors said Bonang was able to use cash to buy untraceable guns in private sales.

According to prosecutors, one of the guns Bonang bought, he used to kill Melchionda. Prosecutors said Bonang had more than 400 rounds of ammunition on him at the time of his arrest.

A Norfolk County Superior Court judge ordered Bonang held without bail. He was scheduled to return to court Oct. 26.