Violent Crimes

Massachusetts Supreme Court Announces ‘Parental Privilege’ in Child Spanking Case

Published on: July 1, 2015 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

In a recent appeal from the defendant’s conviction for assault & battery for spanking his child, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the father should have been permitted to assert at trial the ‘parental privilege’ defense. See Commonwealth v. Dorvil.

In this case, the defendant was charged and convicted with assault & battery for spanking his daughter, who was almost three years old at the time. At trial, the defendant argued that the evidence against him was insufficient to convict him for the crime of assault & battery because, as a parent, he had a privilege to use force in order to discipline his minor child. The Appeals Court first considered the issue and denied his appeal. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court thereafter considered the issue and reversed his conviction. Continue Reading ›

Medford Northeastern Student Charged with Boston Attack on Women

Published on: June 21, 2013 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Northeastern student was recently charged with various Massachusetts Crimes of Violence against two women in Boston in separate incidents.

The student, who is from Medford, was charged in Roxbury District Court last week with Assault with Intent to Rape, Armed Robbery, and Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon. In this incident, the student is alleged to have jumped out of bushes and attacked a woman, threatening to rape her while trying to remove her clothes. The woman reportedly suffered wounds to her hand and her leg and reported that the student used a knife in this attack.

In another incident occurred later that same evening, the student allegedly knocked another woman over and tried to rape her. He was charged in connection with that incident in West Roxbury District Court with Assault with Intent to Rape.

Lowell Father Charged with Assaulting 2 Month Old Son

Published on: May 21, 2013 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Lowell father was arraigned in Lowell District Court last week on Massachusetts Violent Crimes Charges for allegedly assaulting his two month old infant.

The defendant, Christopher Berry, was formally arraigned on Aggravated Assault & Battery charges, but that charge could be upgraded if the child succumbs to its injuries. He was held on $500,000 cash bail.

According to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, the defendant was caring for the infant when, over apparent frustration, allegedly violently shook the baby for as many as 30 seconds. Prosecutors believe that the infant suffered grave brain injuries and it is not known at this time if it will survive. Prosecutors do not believe the child’s injuries are consistent with accidental trauma.

Cambridge Teenager Arrested for Attempted Rape of Woman in Watertown

Published on: March 12, 2013 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Cambridge teenager was arrested on Massachusetts Sex Crimes Charges for allegedly attacking a woman in Watertown as she walked to her home after getting off the bus.

Watertown Police report that the woman, who had just gotten off the bus on Belmont Street, was attacked by a teen wearing a Halloween type ‘skull’ mask. The woman reported that the teen struck her in the head several times and demanded she give him whatever she had. The teenager then told the woman to take off her clothes.

Police reportedly identified the teenager, who is 16, from video surveillance footage from nearby business. Watertown Police also secured a search warrant for his home, in which they recovered the woman’s cell phone and credit cards.

Massachusetts 15 Year Old Charged with Attempted Murder

Published on: March 8, 2013 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A 15 year old from Attleboro is charged with several Massachusetts Violent Crimes for allegedly kidnapping and attempting to drown and stab a 63 year old woman.

The teenager was arraigned this week in Taunton District Court on several charges, including attempted murder; kidnapping; home invasion; assault with intent to murder; aggravated assault & battery; and intimidation of a witness.

According to the Bristol County D.A.’s Office, the defendant broke into the woman’s home around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday and a scuffle ensued, during which time the victim was slashed about her body. Several hours later, the woman was reportedly taken to a pond near Seekonk where the teenager allegedly tried to drown her.

Boston Man Charged for Murder After Asthma Death

Published on: February 12, 2013 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Boston man, from Dorchester, was charged with Murder after the man he allegedly shot at, but missed, died from an asthma attack.

The defendant was arraigned this week in Suffolk Superior Court and charged with Murder, Armed Assault to Murder, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

According to Suffolk County prosecutors, the defendant allegedly started shooting at three men. One of the men shot at was Kelvin Rowell, 40 years old. Although Rowell was able to get away safely and was not hit by any of the bullets, he apparently suffered an asthma attack and was unable to breathe, falling into a coma shortly thereafter and eventually dying.

Lowell Man Charged with Beating 2 Year Old Child

Published on: December 10, 2012 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Lowell man was charged last week with several counts of Massachusetts Violent Crimes Charges for allegedly beating and causing serious injuries to his girlfriend’s 2 year old daughter.

The defendant, Bunthang Ponn, of Lowell, was arraigned in Lowell District Court last Friday and charged with several counts of Aggravated Assault & Battery on a Child with Serious Injury and Intimidation of a Witness.

According to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, the defendant allegedly assaulted his girlfriend’s 2 year old daughter, breaking her back and ribs. At his arraignment, prosecutors represented that the child may also have suffered irreparable brain damage from a massive stroke.

Boston Man Arrested for Milford Home Invasion

Published on: October 28, 2012 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Two men have been arrested and charged with Massachusetts Crimes of Violence charges in connection with a Milford home invasion on September 29.

Rashad Blount, of Boston, and Richard Booker, of Middleboro, were both arrested this past week and charged with several violent crimes, including Armed Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

According to police, Blount allegedly appeared at the home of the victim identifying himself as a pizza delivery man. A short time later, Booker allegedly entered the home, identifying himself as a police officer. Police also believe a third suspect may have also arrived.

Cambridge Woman Arrested for Assault Brookline Police Officer

Published on: September 13, 2012 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Cambridge woman was arrested this week on Massachusetts Crimes of Violence Charges for allegedly assaulting a Brookline Police Officer. She was charged with Assault & Battery on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.

According to the Brookline Police Department, the officer came across the woman on Harvard Street in Brookline and she appeared to be unsteady on her feet. She and a male companion were apparently trying to locate a taxi. 15 minutes later, the Brookline Police came across the Cambridge woman again, this time in the company of two other men. Upon speaking with her, she then allegedly began yelling at other men passing by to take her home.

When police asked her to sit down, she allegedly became irate and attempted to hit the police officers, spit on them and kicked one in the groin.

Two Men Arrested in Double Homicide and Home Invasion in Haverhill, Massachusetts

Published on: August 2, 2012 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Three men have been arrested in connection with last week’s Home Invasion in Haverhill. All three men have been charged with Massachusetts Murder Charges, as well as Home Invasion, and Gun Crimes Charges.

According to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, several men attempted to gain access to and rob an apartment on River Street in Haverhill. The attempted robbery went bad, and eventually led to two people being killed, and others seriously injured from gunshot wounds.

The violent crime of Home Invasion in Massachusetts is defined as the entering into the home of another while armed and where the use or threatened use of force is employed. Home Invasion carries a potential penalty of not less than 20 years and up to life in state prison.