SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Local News

Discussion

The Salem News has a real-name policy for commenting. Users may sign in using the Facebook Connect tool above the comments field. Once your first comment is posted by a moderator, all future comments will post automatically. If you prefer not to use Facebook, send an e-mail with your comments user name (which must be the same as your real name), city or town, street address and daytime phone number to comments@salemnews.com. A staff member will contact you directly to confirm your identity. It may take a day or two before you can post comments. Only your user name will be public. All users are required to follow our rules for commenting, which can be found here.

comments powered by Disqus
July 2, 2009

Son, 44, indicted in death of mom

By Paul Leighton

TOPSFIELD — A Topsfield man accused of striking his elderly mother when she refused to drive him to the pharmacy has been indicted on a charge of manslaughter.

An Essex County grand jury yesterday indicted Robert Friberg, 44, who lived with his mother at 44 Great Hill Drive. Priscilla Friberg, 72, died from an aortic aneurysm at Boston Medical Center on March 21, a day after police say she was hit by her son.

Police say Friberg became angry when his mother refused to drive him to the pharmacy. When she tried to call police, her son ripped the phone away and hit her in the arm, according to court documents. She ran to a neighbor's home for help.

The victim refused an ambulance at first, but her condition quickly deteriorated. She was taken by Lyons Ambulance to Beverly Hospital, then by helicopter to Boston Medical Center.

In addition to manslaughter, Robert Friberg is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a victim 60 or older, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and intimidation of a witness.

Essex County District Attorney's Office spokesman Steve O'Connell said Friberg will be arraigned in Salem Superior Court in the next two to three weeks. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melissa Woodard.

O'Connell said Friberg was being represented by attorney Nicole Reilly of Hamilton. Reilly could not be reached for comment.

Friberg is being held at Middleton Jail.

Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News

North Shore News Updates on Twitter
Stories Shared on Facebook
AP Video
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate' Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Comments Tracker