Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jan 2013
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
Copyright: 2013 Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Contact:  http://www.telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/509
Note: Rarely prints LTEs from outside circulation area - requires 
'Letter to the Editor' in subject
Author: Gary V. Murray, Telegram & Gazette Staff
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors
may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been
convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or
officials.

MAN ACCUSED OF STABBING OFFICER WITH HYPODERMIC NEEDLE IN WORCESTER

WORCESTER - A Hopkinton man accused of stabbing a police officer with
a hypodermic needle in the ladies' room at a Park Avenue supermarket
pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday morning in Worcester
Superior Court.

[name redacted], 29, of 14 Pinecrest Village, Hopkinton, was indicted
Dec. 13 on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon,
trespassing and disturbing the peace stemming from a July 16 incident
at the Price Chopper at 221 Park Ave.

According to a police statement on file in Central District Court,
where Mr. [name redacted] was initially charged, Officer Ryan Stone
went to the Price Chopper July 16 to investigate a report of a man in
the ladies' room who was refusing to leave. Store employees said there
was blood on the floor in the ladies' room and expressed concern for
their safety and that of their customers, according to Officer Stone's
written account.

The officer said he entered the ladies' room and asked the man, later
identified as Mr. [name redacted], to open the door to the stall he
was in and come out. Officer Stone said he saw an object in Mr. [name
redacted]'s right hand when he opened the stall door.

Mr. [name redacted] allegedly refused to comply with Officer Stone's
order to show his hands and drop the object.

After ordering Mr. [name redacted] to put his hands on the wall,
Officer Stone saw what he described as drug paraphernalia on the
toilet in the stall, according to his statement.

The officer said he asked Mr. [name redacted] where his needle was and
Mr. [name redacted] told him it was in his pocket. Officer Stone said
he asked whether the needle was capped and Mr. [name redacted]
responded with a series of unintelligible statements.

The officer said he told Mr. [name redacted] he was being arrested for
trespassing and ordered him to place his hands behind his back. Mr.
[name redacted]allegedly refused.

As he was trying to get handcuffs on Mr. [name redacted], Mr. [name
redacted] jerked his hand toward him in a thrusting motion, according
to Officer Stone's account. Officer Stone said he immediately felt a
sharp sting in his right hand.

The officer said he pushed Mr. [name redacted] up against the wall and
saw that the object with which he had been stabbed was a hypodermic
needle. The officer said he again told Mr. [name redacted] to drop the
needle and Mr. [name redacted] complied and was taken into custody.

The officer's written statement does not say whether he sought medical
attention.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney Brett F. Dillon, Judge
James R. Lemire set Mr. [name redacted]'s bail at $10,000 cash and
continued his case to Jan. 22. 
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