Suspect Arraigned in Fatal Phillips Park Stabbing as Wellesley Mourns Victim
DATELINE — WELLESLEY
A 58-year-old man was fatally stabbed at Phillips Park on the evening of Thursday, June 25, and a suspect — identified in regional coverage as James Floyd Bennett III, 26 — was arrested the same night and appeared in court Friday, casting a shadow over the start of the summer weekend.
TOWN HALL
The Council on Aging is seeking a volunteer to fill a vacant seat on its Board of Directors. Residents interested in serving on the COA board have until July 17 to apply; details are posted on the town's website at wellesleyma.gov.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Wellesley Free Library has a busy weekend ahead. The Hills Book Chat — temporarily relocated to the Arnold Room at the Main Library while the Hills Branch remains closed for renovations — meets Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to noon. That same afternoon, the library hosts a Crepe Paper Flowers workshop from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Main Library. Patrons should also note that the Main Library parking lot will be under construction July through September, so parking may be limited this summer.
Looking further ahead, the library's summer speaker series includes "Listening to New England with Mel Allen" on Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m., and a one-woman theatrical performance, "The Women of '76 with Rita Parisi," on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m. — both in the Wakelin Room at the Main Library.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
The stabbing at Phillips Park drew wide regional coverage overnight and into Friday. Wellesley Patch reported "Arrest Made After Fatal Wellesley Stabbing," noting the victim was taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
MetroWest Daily News followed the case into the courts with "Wellesley MA man charged in fatal stabbing. What's next," reporting that a suspect was arraigned on charges related to the killing after a joint investigation by Wellesley Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the Norfolk District Attorney's Office, per MetroWest Daily News (read it at https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/26/wellesley-ma-man-james-floyd-bennett-arraigned-on-charges-related-to-fatal-stabbing/90706576007/).
The Boston Globe also covered the initial incident with "Person stabbed in Wellesley, one arrested, officials say," describing the response by State Police troopers who were called to assist Wellesley officers, according to The Boston Globe (read it at https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/25/metro/wellesley-stabbing-arrest/).
COMING UP
- **Sat., June 27** — Hills Book Chat (Arnold Room, Main Library), 11 a.m.–noon - **Sat., June 27** — Crepe Paper Flowers workshop (Main Library), 2–4:30 p.m. - **Mon., June 29** — Teen Craft To-Go Kits available all day (High School Room, Main Library) - **Tues., June 30** — "For Sale" Online Selling Tips & Tricks (Jackie's Room, Main Library), 1–3 p.m. - **Thurs., July 2** — Tech Time in Jackie's Room (Main Library), 10 a.m.–noon - **Fri.–Sun., July 3–5** — Wellesley Free Library closed for Independence Day holiday - **Tues., July 7** — Listening to New England with Mel Allen (Wakelin Room, Main Library), 7–8:30 p.m. - **July 17** — Deadline to apply for COA Board of Directors vacancy