DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) – A judge on Wednesday denied motions filed by a dominatrix’s seeking to dismiss manslaughter and dismemberment charges against her.

Barbara Asher, 54, who went by the name Mistress Lauren M, allegedly dismembered and disposed of the body of client Michael Lord, 53, in July 2000 after he had a fatal heart attack during a bondage session.

Asher, who pleaded innocent, filed motions to dismiss the charges, claiming there is no evidence Lord, of North Hampton, N.H., was ever in her apartment. Lord’s remains have never been recovered and Asher maintains that the retired telephone company worker may still be alive.

“The evidence before the grand jury was sufficient for the return of the indictments,” Superior Court Judge Charles J. Hely wrote in his decision. “The evidence and arguments relied on by the defendant do not demonstrate that the integrity of the grand jury proceeding was impaired.”

Asher told police that she and her ex-boyfriend used a hacksaw to dismember the body of the 280-pound Lord, whom police claim died in her Quincy condo.

minium. They then told police they dismembered the body and dumped it in Augusta, Maine.

Asher now claims she never confessed.

In addition to the criminal charges, Asher faces a $1 million wrongful death suit filed by Lord’s family.

Asher is scheduled to be back in court on May 5.

AP-ES-04-07-04 1858EDT

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