Ashley Guimont, charged with killing boyfriend, granted bail after DNA supports self-defense claim

A Coram woman charged with the July 4 killing of her live-in boyfriend was granted bail Thursday, after DNA analysis was found to be consistent with her story that she was defending herself, prosecutors said.

Judge Richard Horowitz granted Ashley Guimont’s bail application after prosecutor Michelle Chiuchiolo, of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, said DNA analysis was consistent with Guimont’s story of her struggle with Alex Carter. Guimont, 44, shot Carter, 47, in the face over her shoulder, and the analysis shows he was choking her from behind, her attorney, Raymond Baierlein, said.

Chiuchiolo said at a hearing on Thursday afternoon at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead that although the analysis is not complete, patterns of blood splattered in the home, such as in the room in which the killing took place, and its presence on the rug, clothing and walls, match Guimont’s description of the struggle.

When the forensics examiner confirmed this, Chiuchiolo said in court that she contacted Baierlein, with the next step for the defense to submit a bail application. Horowitz had remanded her to jail without bail on July 21.

Guimont, who remained quiet during the hearing, agreed to give up her passport in seven days.

Baierlein said he is grateful Chiuchiolo kept her word to notify him and the judge about the initial analysis. However, he said he is disappointed that police were quick to arrest her before further investigation.

"We’ve always maintained the position that our client was a victim of domestic violence. She was attacked, and anything she did was purely to defend herself," he said after the hearing. "We were disappointed that the police opted to make an arrest so quickly rather than wait for forensic analysis."

Horowitz set Guimont’s bail at $50,000 cash bail, $250,000 bond or $350,000 partially secured bond. It was not clear exactly when she will be released.

Baierlein said his client feels relieved.

"She wants to get home to her family," he said. "She's going to stay with her mom, and she's going to get a good night's rest." 

Newsday's Arielle Dollinger contributed to this story.