Malden Man Held Without Bail for Five Counts of Attempted Murder

A Malden man accused of trying to murder his family by setting fire to their Fremont St. home will be held without bail until a scheduled dangerousness hearing next week.

Prosecutors allege that Juliet Edward Gustave, 38, of 7 Fremont St. in Malden, began dousing the chairs laid out for his child's christening party when he became enraged over the amount of money his wife had spent on the event.

He allegedly went to the basement to retrieve matches, during which time a resident called 911. Gustave was later apprehended by police covered in gasoline.

“His intent was to burn down the house – any small incendiary device, such as a match or a lighter, if used, would've caused significant damage which would've potentially trapped residents inside the house,” a prosecutor said. 

Gustave's attorney told the court Gustave had not intended to kill his family, only ruin the chairs.

He faces five charges of attempted murder, attempted arson and vandalsm with a noxious substance.