Middlesex County DA's office 8/4/11: Fujita Indicted On Murder Charges In Connection With July Wayland Homicide. An 18 year old Wayland man has been indicted on murder charges, in connection with the homicide of Lauren Astley, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today. Nathaniel Fujita, 18, of Wayland, was indicted this afternoon by a Middlesex grand jury on charges of murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (2 counts), and assault and battery. An arraignment date has not yet been set.

Metrowest Daily News 7/14/11: Court papers mention murder suspects violent history. A Wayland teen accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend on July 3 has a history of "violent outbursts," Framingham District Court records show. In an application to impound search warrants and related documents, the Middlesex district attorney's office argues the release of such information could be prejudicial against Nathanial Fujita, 18, who is charged with killing his ex-girlfriend, Lauren Astley, also 18, on July 3. For example, the search warrant affidavit describes the suspect's history of violent outbursts. Making that information public could prevent Fujita from getting a fair trial, the DA's office argues.

WCVB 7/13/11: DA: Murder Suspect Has History Of Violence. A Wayland teenager accused of killing his ex-girlfriend had a history of violence, according to court documents, the Boston Herald reported. Nathaniel Fujita, 18, had violent and angry outbursts "within the last few years," Jessica Venezia, spokeswoman for the Middlesex District Attorney, told Boston Herald reporters. Fujita was arrested on July 5 and charged in connection with the death of Lauren Astley, 18, also of Wayland. Prosecutors allege Fujita strangled Astley, cut her throat and threw her body into a marsh off Route 27 on the night of July 4. The specifics of his alleged past were not detailed because prosecutors worried the details could obstruct the investigation and inflict more emotional pain for Astley's family. “At this time, we’re not alleging any specific incidents directed at the victim,” Venezia told Boston Herald reporters. “However, that does remain under investigation." Information on search warrant applications that allude to Fujita's allegedly violent past were ordered impounded. Prosecutors believe "Fujita's bad acts," which are outlined in the papers, would lead to a prejudiced jury, according to the Boston Herald.

MyFoxBoston.com 7/13/11: DA: Wayland murder suspect Nate Fujita has violent history. Prosecutors say a Wayland teenager accused of killing his high school sweetheart has a history of violent outbursts. Nate Fujita, 18, is charged with the brutal murder of Lauren Astley. The district attorney’s office says the incidents took place within the last few years, but they won’t say if any specific incidents were directed at the victim.

In the meantime, parents came together Tuesday night at Wayland High School to find ways to help their children cope with the shocking crime. Parents sat down with a psychologist to figure out how to talk to their teenagers about the topic.
Video online here.

Boston Herald 7/13/11: DA says Wayland slay suspect has ‘violent’ history. A Wayland teen charged with murdering his former high school sweetheart has a “history of violent outbursts,” prosecutors said in newly released court documents. State police requests for warrants to search the home and car of 18-year-old Nathaniel Fujita, who is charged with killing classmate Lauren Astley, were ordered impounded after Middlesex prosecutors argued Fujita’s “prior bad acts’’ outlined in the papers could prejudice a jury. It is the first time prosecutors have publicly alleged that Fujita has a history of violence. Jessica Venezia Pastore, a spokeswoman for Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone, told the Herald Fujita’s outbursts took place “within the last few years.”

Wayland Town Crier 7/13/11: Judge seals search warrants in Wayland murder. Two search warrants that are part of the Lauren Astley murder case have been sealed from the public’s view by a Framingham District Court judge. Judge Robert Greco last week impounded two search warrants that Wayland and state police obtained as part of the investigation into her death. Astley’s ex-boyfriend, Nathanial Fujita, 18, was charged with murdering the 18-year-old woman over the Fourth of July weekend. Search warrants must be returned to court within seven days. What the police were specifically looking for and what was found as part of the warrants is not available.

Wayland Patch 7/11/11: Accused Lauren Astley Killer, Nathaniel Fujita, in Billerica Jail. Following his arraignment Tuesday in Framingham District Court on the charge of murdering Wayland resident Lauren Astley, 18, Nathaniel Fujita, also 18, is in the custody of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, officials said. Fujita is currently being held at the Middlesex House of Correction in Billerica, in the pre-trial section of the jail, said Michael Hartigan, public information officer for the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office.

Boston Globe 7/10/11: Fujita pushed hard to see Astley the night she died. Lauren Astley had plans to hang out with friends that night, but Nate Fujita was insistent. He wanted to meet. Fujita had been struggling with their recent breakup and, Astley told her friends, acting "very immature." As Astley worked her shift at a women’s clothing store at the Natick Collection mall that afternoon, Fujita's repeated text messages were "blowing up" her phone, the store manager said. Ultimately, the supervisor said, Astley agreed to see her longtime boyfriend because Fujita had been so unrelenting. "She was more annoyed than anything," said store manager Maeghen Reineke.