No trial date yet for man charged in relation to Hill’s death

Jan 4, 2021

A date has not yet been set for the trial of Christopher Ball-Roemer, the man accused of assault and battery against his partner, Teena Hill, who later died. 

Hill, 48, and Ball-Roemer, 45, lived together in a tent in the woods behind Water Wizz. Hill was found dead on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Following a December dangerousness hearing, Ball-Roemer was ordered to be held without bail until his trial. 

Ball-Roemer’s defense attorney, Helen Valiquette, argued that he should be brought to trial as soon as possible, noting that he has not been charged with directly causing Hill’s death.

For that reason, she said, his trial should not be delayed until the autopsy is complete, which could take another two months. 

Assistant District Attorney David Cutshall said he wanted to delay the trial until he had the autopsy results.

“I don’t think my client should be waiting in jail for 90 days,” Valiquette said.

Valiquette had asked the prosecution for more detailed information about the charge Ball-Roemer is facing, and said that while the police report includes descriptions from witnesses of several alleged assaults, it is unclear for which incident Ball-Roemer is being charged.

Cutshall said he had recently received new information from both Wareham and State Police which he would be sending to Valiquette as soon as possible.

Because both parties had evidence to process before the case could move forward, the judge set a follow-up date for February 3. The hearing will be conducted through Zoom video conferencing.