Athol man arrested for attempted murder after allegedly threatening to kill partner and friend, held on $50,000 bail

ATHOL — On Friday, January 24, 2025, at around 5:51 p.m., Athol Police Officer Zachary Duguay was on patrol when a woman entered the lobby of the Athol Police Department seeking an emergency restraining order.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Duguay and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

Officer Duguay asked the woman, [referred to as “the victim” in what follows], to explain what happened. She stated that she and Joseph Queen, the father of her children, had been involved in an altercation the night before.

“[The victim] stated the argument was due to Mr. Queen finding out she was planning on leaving him, the residence, and moving elsewhere,” Officer Duguay said. “[The victim] stated that during the argument, Mr. Queen threw a table and a couch across their house and threatened to ‘kill’ her and her friend, Marlina.”

According to police, Joseph A. Queen, 42, is a resident of 88 Highland Avenue, Athol, MA.

“Mr. Queen stated Marlina would be the first one to die and [the victim] was next,” Officer Duguay added. “[The victim] told Mr. Queen not to make threats like that. Mr. Queen stated it was not a threat but it was a ‘promise.’”

After making the threat, she stated that Queen then punched a wall on the second floor of their home and continued to yell at her in front of their three children.

“[The victim] stated Mr. Queen refused to let [she] put the children to bed and insisted on continuing the argument in front of them,” Officer Duguay said. “[She] said she doesn’t think Mr. Queen would hurt the children, but that she was placed in fear for her safety with the threat to kill her and her friend. It should be noted [the victim] stated Mr. Queen told her the next morning that he wouldn’t kill her as long as she didn’t leave him.”

The victim informed Officer Duguay that she had recorded the argument on her cell phone via video. She then played the recording for the officer, which contained only audio and no visuals.

“In the video, Mr. Queen could be heard making the above statements,” Officer Duguay said.

Officer Duguay asked her if Queen had ever been physical with her in the past or if their arguments were only verbal.

“[The victim] stated that approximately five years ago, he shoved her and she did not report this to the police,” Officer Duguay said.

Officer Duguay asked her if she had felt fearful or believed Queen might become physical with her during the incident the previous night.

“[The victim] stated she was afraid of Mr. Queen based on his behavior and the statements he made,” Officer Duguay said.

Officer Duguay said that at this point, based on the statement provided by the victim, he had probable cause to arrest Queen for Domestic Assault and Threat to Commit a Crime to Wit Murder.

Officer Duguay provided her with the application paperwork for an abuse prevention order which she then filled out. He also inquired about the whereabouts of their children, to which she responded that they were with her mother.

Additionally, Officer Duguay informed the victim that, as a mandated reporter, he was required to file a 51A report with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) regarding the incident. According to his report, she acknowledged and understood this requirement. (A 51A form is a mandatory report that professionals in Massachusetts, who work with children, must file with the DCF when they suspect that a child is being abused, neglected, or both).

At approximately 7:34 p.m., Judge Anthony Marotta granted the victim an emergency abuse prevention order.

Officer Duguay then provided the victim with a copy of the order and asked her where Queen would be.

“[The victim] stated he was at their residence, 88 Highland Avenue, and was unaware she was at the police station,” Officer Duguay said.

At approximately 7:39 p.m., Officer Duguay, Officer Steven Adams, and Sergeant Jarret Mousseau arrived at 88 Highland Avenue to speak with Queen

Officer Duguay knocked on the door of the residence and Queen opened the door.

Officer Duguay introduced himself and informed Queen that his body-worn camera was activated and recording both audio and video. He then asked Queen to step outside to speak with the officers, but Queen instead invited them into his residence.

“At approximately 7:57 p.m., I advised Mr. Queen that there was probable cause to place him under arrest for domestic assault,” Officer Duguay said. “Mr. Queen appeared confused but cooperated with the arrest process.”

Officer Duguay placed handcuffs on Queen, checked them for tightness, and double locked them. Officer Duguay then searched Queen’s person, and found nothing.

“Officers assisted Mr. Queen in retrieving his property from his residence before locking the doors to the residence,” Officer Duguay said.

Officer Duguay then escorted Queen to his cruiser where he was placed in the rear seat and transported to the Athol Police Station.

Upon arriving at the Athol Police Station, Officer Duguay and Sergeant Mousseau escorted Queen to the booking room. After completing the booking process, Officer Duguay read Queen his Miranda rights from a card he keeps in his patrol vest.

“Mr. Queen stated he understood these rights,” Officer Duguay said.

Officer Duguay then asked Queen to explain what had occurred the previous night.

“Mr. Queen stated he and [the victim] got into a verbal argument and that was it,” Officer Duguay said.

Officer Duguay advised Queen that he was also getting charged with Threat to Commit a Crime to Wit Murder for threatening to kill the victim.

“Mr. Queen stated he did not say that,” Officer Duguay said.

After speaking with Queen, Officer Duguay escorted him to Cell 2. He then asked Queen if he wanted anything to eat for dinner, but Queen declined.

Officer Duguay contacted Bail Commissioner David Weiss to set Queen’s bail. Weiss set Queen’s bail at $50,000.00.

“Sergeant Mousseau advised Mr. Queen of his bail amount and advised Mr. Queen of his right to a phone call,” Officer Duguay said. “Mr. Queen declined the offer to make a phone call. Sergeant Mousseau also read Mr. Queen the abuse prevention order and placed a copy of the order in Mr. Queen’s property.”

Officer Duguay charged Queen with the following (his reasoning is provided in quotations):

1. Assault on a Family/Household Member: “for placing [the victim] in fear for her physical safety by stating he was going to kill her and her friend, as well as demonstrating an increase in physical aggression by punching the wall, throwing the couch, and table, as well as stating he wouldn’t kill her as long as she stayed with him.”
2.  Threat to Commit a Crime to Wit Murder: “for stating to [the victim] that he was going to kill her and that it was not a threat, but a promise.”

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story was from January, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to get the court documents for the incident. FOIAs are time consuming.

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