MERRIMACK – A brief probable cause hearing Thursday morning set the stage for a grand jury review of the murder charge against 62-year-old Joseph Lawrence, who is accused of killing his wife in their Back River Road home late last month.

Attorney Paul Borchardt, a public defender who is representing Lawrence, said his client waived the hearing and will now be bound over to the next term of the Hillsborough County grand jury.

Prosecutors can now present the case to that jury, which can determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to take the case to trial. If jurors decide there is enough evidence, they will issue an indictment for Lawrence on the charge of second-degree murder.

What prompted Lawrence to allegedly shoot his wife, Darlene Lawrence, 61, in the neck remains a mystery to many neighbors, some of whom described Joseph Lawrence as very friendly and sociable, the antithesis of someone who would commit the crime he is accused of perpetrating.

Karen Parsons, whose home at the corner of Back River Road and Country Club Lane is next door to the Lawrence residence, said she was stunned and devastated, first by the news that Darlene Lawrence had died and then when she learned Joseph Lawrence is the prime suspect.

“It rips my heart out. They’re such awesome people,” Parsons said April 30 as she watched police come and go from the State Police Major Crime Unit van parked in the Lawrences’ driveway. “You couldn’t ask for better neighbors.”

State Police Major Crime Unit detective Sgt. John Sonia stated in his report that the alleged shooting occurred early the morning of April 30.

An autopsy performed the following day at the state Medical Examiner’s office in Concord determined that Darlene Lawrence died of a gunshot wound to the neck and that the manner of death was homicide.

Borchardt said after Thursday’s brief hearing that is wasn’t able to comment on how Joseph Lawrence is faring in jail, where he was ordered held without bail.

As for the proceeding, Borchardt described it as part of “the usual process … he waived a reading of the charge today and will be bound over to the grand jury.

“The next step is to see what charges the attorney general’s office brings,” he said.

Assistant Attorneys General Stacey Pawlik and Patrick Queenan are prosecuting the case.

Although Pawlik has declined to comment on whether Joseph Lawrence turned himself in to police, she did confirm that he’s the person who called police early the morning of April 30. Police said the call came in around 6:20 a.m.

Pawlik said Lawrence is charged with second-degree murder “for knowingly causing her death.” The complaint states Lawrence “knowingly shot his wife in the neck,” she added.

As to what may have prompted the incident, Pawlik said investigators are “looking into everything,” and the details are part of the ongoing investigation.

Calling hours for Darlene Lawrence were scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Thursday, and a funeral service is set for 11 a.m. Friday, both at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway in Merrimack.

A native of Lowell, Mass., Darlene (Snay) Lawrence was a Merrimack resident of more than 20 years and most recently worked for the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture.

She leaves her daughter, Jennifer Ladue, of Merrimack; and her sons, Joe Lawrence and his wife, Nenita, of Merrimack, and Jason Lawrence, of Manchester.

The family asks that anyone who wishes to make a donation in Darlene Lawrence’s name consider “That Newfoundland Place Inc.,” 554 Pucker St., Coventry, CT 06238.

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 594-6443, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.