The acting governor also took up the Curley's cause in his annual crusade to reinstate the death penalty in the Commonwealth. The bill was narrowly defeated by an 80 to 80 vote in the State House last November in its last step before reaching Cellucci's eager pen.

Though Cellucci was quick to condemn those who voted against the bill, the defeat was a welcome outcome for the defendants in the Curley case.

Official reports said that both men entered not-guilty pleas at the time of the arraignment and will maintain their innocence heading into the trials.

According to Brian T. Heffron, a spokesperson for the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office, Sicari's attorney applied for a motion to sever the cases on Sept. 29. The motion was granted by Judge Judith A. Cowin, and Sicari's separate trial will begin Oct. 20.

Jaynes' trial-date will be set in December.

Assistant District Attorney David R. Yanetti will try the case against Sicari.

Heffron said the state has charged both men with kidnapping and first-degree murder but would not comment on the sentence Yanetti will pursue.