Wellesley Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murder in Father's Fatal Stabbing at Phillips Park
A Wellesley man pleaded not guilty Friday to first-degree murder and was ordered held without bail following the death of his 58-year-old father, who was stabbed at Phillips Park on Thursday afternoon in a case that drew statewide media attention overnight.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Arrest Made After Fatal Wellesley Stabbing" — A local resident was arrested Thursday night and charged in connection with a fatal stabbing at a Wellesley park, with the victim transported to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley/arrest-made-after-fatal-wellesley-stabbing).
"Wellesley MA man charged in fatal stabbing. What's next" — James Floyd Bennett III was arraigned Friday on charges stemming from the Thursday stabbing death of his father at a Wellesley park, with Wellesley Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the District Attorney's Office conducting the investigation, MetroWest Daily News reports (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/).
No fresh coverage from The Boston Globe specific to Wellesley appeared in this cycle.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Wellesley Free Library has a busy stretch ahead despite ongoing construction disruptions. The Main Library parking lot will be under construction through September 2026, and the Hills Branch remains closed for renovations until fall. The Fells Branch is also currently closed.
Coming soon at the library: a one-woman theatrical performance, "The Women of '76 with Rita Parisi," brings to life true stories of women who served during the American Revolution, scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m. in the Wakelin Room. Earlier in the month, "Listening to New England with Mel Allen" fills the same room on Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m.
COMING UP
- **Monday, June 29:** Teen Craft To-Go Kits available all day, High School Room, Main Library - **Tuesday, June 30:** "For Sale" Online Selling Tips & Tricks, 1–3 p.m., Jackie's Room, Main Library; Storytime at Main, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Wakelin Room; Crazy for the Classics (Zoom), 5–6 p.m. - **Thursday, July 2:** Tech Time in Jackie's Room, 10 a.m.–noon; Learn to Play Rummikub, 11 a.m.–noon, Wakelin Room - **Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5:** Library closed for Independence Day weekend - **Tuesday, July 7:** Listening to New England with Mel Allen, 7–8:30 p.m., Wakelin Room, Main Library - **Tuesday, July 14:** The Women of '76 with Rita Parisi, 7–8:30 p.m., Wakelin Room, Main Library