Men plead not guilty

By Dan Atkinson
Staff writer

September 02, 2008 10:49 pm

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NEWBURYPORT — Two Byfield men remain in jail after being arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit murder yesterday, and while law enforcement officers remain tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation, relatives at the courthouse were more outspoken.

"I love you, Derek!" Angela Chalifour shouted during the arraignment of her half brother, Derek Saunders, and Scott Mazzone. Chalifour and her and Saunders' mother, Cheryl Chalifour, both called out words of encouragement to Saunders before Angela Chalifour was told to leave the courtroom. Outside the courtroom, Angela Chalifour speculated that money may have been a motive in the slaying of a Dover, N.H., man.

Saunders, 24, and Mazzone, 40, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit murder, accessory after the fact of murder and being fugitives from justice on conspiracy charges in New Hampshire.

Because police from both states are still investigating the homicide, Judge Allen Swan ordered police reports on both men sealed yesterday morning. But other police reports indicate family ties between Byfield and Dover, N.H.

Saunders and Mazzone had been living at 20 Fruit St. with Janelle Chalifour, 24, who, according to Newbury police reports from last June, is the daughter of a "Diane Saunders." A woman named Dianna Saunders, who according to New Hampshire police is the stepmother of Derek Saunders, had been living with David King, 46, of 81 Old Dover Point Road, at the time of his death. The Newbury police report describes Derek Saunders and Janelle Chalifour as "step-siblings" and Mazzone as "not only Janelle Chalifour's boyfriend, but he is her ex-stepfather."

Saunders and Mazzone were arrested Sunday in Newbury after the Friday night slaying of King. Newbury police Chief Michael Reilly said his department had been working with Dover police since "early on over the weekend," and that both departments were continuing to investigate.

"We're cooperating to the fullest extent we possibly can," Reilly said.

New Hampshire police have not released the cause of King's death, but the medical examiner ruled it a homicide, according to the attorney general's office. No one has been charged directly with murder in the case. Essex County District Attorney spokesman Steven O'Connell said if Saunders and Mazzone were indicted on those charges in New Hampshire, Massachusetts officials would cooperate to ensure the more serious charges are prosecuted first.

Both men did not waive extradition and will be held without bail on the fugitive from justice charges in the county jail in Middleton until a status hearing on Sept. 17. The two men are not directly related, but Mazzone helped raise Saunders, according to Mazzone's brother-in-law, Paul McCormack.

"It's a terrible time for both families right now," McCormack said after the arraignment.

Mazzone and Saunders also worked at the same company, Jones Boys Insulation in Danvers, according to court documents. Janelle Chalifour and Mazzone were both charged with domestic assault and battery last June after a fight at the house, according to police reports. Neither pressed charges. The charge against Mazzone was dismissed and the charge against Chalifour was continued without a finding for six months, according to court documents.

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