NORTHAMPTON — It was a hug, between a mother and son, that was a year and a half in the making.
A judge on Tuesday ruled that Joann Holmes, 54, and her son Zachary — a 22-year-old man who is autistic and admitted last summer to stabbing his mother multiple times in their Belchertown home in September 2015 — may have supervised, in-person visits.
The man, who Joann has said is also developmentally disabled and functions at the cognitive level of a 12-year-old, previously spent eight months in jail and was released in June. Since then, he’s remained under the care and supervision of the Department of Developmental Services. Zachary now lives in a group home in Orange where officials there told the judge he was thriving.
Through his arrest, his time in jail and repeated court appearances, Joann remained a fervent supporter of her son, insisting to authorities and prosecutors she never wanted him to face charges.
Zachary originally stood accused of attempted murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery.
When a judge accepted Zachary’s agreed-upon guilty plea to assault charges in July, sentencing him to five years probation and half a year of house arrest, it was also determined he could return to court after six months to formally request supervised visitation with his mother.
Tuesday, Joann stood in Hampshire Superior Court as Judge Mark Mason announced his decision. She had to be sure what she just heard, so she asked him point blank: “Is it approved?”
“Yes,” the judge said.
Joann walked to the defense table and stretched her arms out to Zachary. The two embraced for about a full minute.
“It’s been so long,” Zachary told his mother.
“I love you,” Joann said, beginning to cry.
“It’s OK, mom,” he said, still hugging her tight. “It’s OK.”
Until Tuesday’s ruling, per the conditions of his release, Zachary was not allowed within 100 yards of his mother and only permitted to communicate with her on the phone.
“There’s so many times I’m sitting in the courtroom and ready to jump up and say ‘hi, I’m here!’” Joann said later in an interview. “I don’t think I would’ve known how to do anything other than fight for my son. Just to jump in his arms, it felt amazing.”
Defense counsel Alfred Chamberland argued in court that Zachary would greatly benefit from having the ability to venture beyond the walls of his assisted-care residence and from having visits with his mother. As part of his probation, Zachary was not permitted to leave the residence unless it was for a religious and medical reason.
Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Jennifer Suhl agreed with Chamberland.
“The goal, ultimately, is to step down restrictions,” she said in court. “I do feel comfortable (DDS officials) are going to appropriately supervise and have safety as a priority for these visits.”
After court, Joann sat at a table with her son, hugging him and kissing him and posing for photos. They both smiled into the camera while Zachary flashed his signature peace sign.
“I always told you I wanted to give you a big hug to show you how much I love you, and I did,” Zachary said.
In Zachary’s hands was a heart-shaped box of chocolates from his mother, and in Joann’s was a handmade Valentine’s Day card from her son.
“MOM, IT’S ABOUT TIME I WISHED YOU A HAPPY VALENTIMES DAY!!! XOXXOOXXXOX plus infinity!” the card reads.
“Hey, it’s not perfect,” Zachary said to Joann. “But it’s meaningful.”
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.