The case of a slain teachers aide has caused much concern in the Boston suburb of Worcester, MA since Sandra Hehir’s body was found in her home on February 5th of this year. Last week the man who the police and the Worcester district attorney think is responsible for the popular teachers aide’s death was arrested when his DNA tied him to the crime scene. Jose Melendez is a 54 year old illegal immigrant with a long history of running afoul of the law. Here are the top 5 things you should know about this man, his victim and this case.

1. He had a criminal history reaching back at least 17 years in this country-In 2014 Mr. Melendez defaulted on his probation in a breaking and entering case and he also faces two drug cases in the Boston suburb of Worcester. He evidently also faced criminal charges in Florida and New York and was even a suspect in a rape case as far back as 2000
2. He hid behind a door in the courtroom during his arraignment-Mr. Melendez reportedly hid behind a door in the courtroom during his arraignment this past Monday, after the judge allowed his attorney Michael Hussey (in the video below) to shield him from public view.