Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
Around 7:00 a.m. Christmas morning Salem, Massachusetts police received a 911 call from a woman crying and asking for help. The police responded to her home and found Franklin Sousa shirtless and pulling down the shades. The police went to the door where they were greeted by a woman covered with blood. Sousa ran out the back door. He was chased by a police officer. Sousa was reportedly holding something in his hand. When the officers subdued him he was injured. The complaining witness stated that she and Sousa had dated and were living together. On Christmas Eve Sousa became hostile. The woman claims that she barricaded her apartment door to keep Sousa out and went to sleep. She woke up with Sousa standing over her. He then struck her. Sousa has been charged with Domestic Assault and Battery, Malicious Destruction to Property, Resisting Arrest, Witness Intimidation, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Disorderly Person and Resisting Arrest. The case is pending in the Salem District Court.
Read Article:
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x480667508/Salem-man-held-in-attacks-on-his-girlfriend-police#
Salem Massachusetts Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
As a Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney here is what I see as concerning about these allegations. The complaining witness barricades herself in her room in an attempt to keep a violent Sousa out. She then goes to sleep without calling the police. She wakes up in the morning with him standing over her. Then he squeezes her face causing her to bleed. You have to wonder why she did not call the police immediately. You also have to wonder what Sousa was doing and where he was from the time of the barricade on Christmas Eve until 7:00 in the morning, as the article says with his shirt off. Facts like this that do not make sense often serve as a starting point for defenses to criminal accusations.
The Law Offices of Stephen Neyman has defended cases of Domestic Violence in Massachusetts for over twenty years. There is always a defense to criminal allegations. Call us now at 617-263-6800 to discuss your case or contact us online. All calls are promptly returned.