SPRINGFIELD - The man accused of torturing and killing three women and abducting and raping multiple others is scheduled to appear in court for the first time since he pleaded not guilty 51 charges in August.

Stewart Weldon, 41, was arrested on May 27 after police tried to pull him over for a broken tail light and he sped away only to crash his car. After he was apprehended, a female passenger in his vehicle claimed she had been beaten with a hammer, raped and terrorized while being held captive at his home at 1333 Page Boulevard.

Days after he was arrested, Weldon’s mother called police and reported a foul odor coming from the home. Between the night of May 30 and the next day, officers discovered the decomposing bodies of three women in the basement, the garage and in a shed.

The victims were later reported to be Kayla Escalante, 27, of Ludlow, and Springfield residents Ernestine Ryans, 47, and America Lyden, 43. A subsequent investigation uncovered seven other victims who accused Weldon of a variety of different offenses including assault and rape.

Two of the victims were found with their hands and feet bound with electrical cords and other cables. Police also found sticks wrapped with wire that are believed to have been used to beat the women, court records said.

In August, Weldon was indicted on three counts of murder, eight counts of strangulation, nine counts of aggravated rape, two counts of rape, five counts of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of kidnapping, and two counts of assault with intent to rape. He has been in jail since his original arrest and is now being held without right to bail.

During pre-trial hearings attorneys typically discuss details about the upcoming trial including schedules and motions to be filed.

Weldon is represented by Brian Murphy in the case being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett.