Post by KC on Aug 1, 2006 0:17:39 GMT -5
August 01, 2006 - GLOCESTER -- A suspended East Providence police officer is being held in protective custody at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston after he was arrested for allegedly beating his girlfriend and threatening to take his life with a shotgun.
Officer Jason Francis, 29, of 884 Putnam Pike, was charged with possession of a firearm while intoxicated, a felony, and one count of simple assault and one count of disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.
An East Providence patrolman since 2000, Francis was suspended without pay in March 2005 after allegedly kicking in the face a handcuffed suspect who was seated in the police station.
He was charged with three counts of assault and one count of filing a false document and is currently awaiting an October trial.
Superior Court Judge William J. McAtee yesterday ordered Francis held in protective custody at the ACI pending a bail violation hearing Aug. 7.
While acknowledging that the prosecution's case was "indicative of something happening" at the Glocester residence, McAtee said he was concerned for the officer's safety in prison and scheduled an earlier court date for Francis.
"He should not be treated differently than anyone else," Assistant District Attorney Bethany Macktaz argued.
Francis allegedly struck his girlfriend and mother of his young child after an argument in the couple's bedroom Sunday night, according to Police Chief Jaime A. Hainsworth.
Police responded at 10 p.m. and found the couple arguing outside.
Macktaz said there were "visible signs of injury" to the woman's face, that Francis had allegedly hit her several times and "threw her around the room."
Francis then apparently loaded a shotgun and threatened to take his own life.
The loaded shotgun was found in the bedroom, Hainsworth said.
Lise J. Gescheidt, the lawyer representing Francis, said that her client denied the assault allegations, denied using the shotgun to threaten his girlfriend, and denied being drunk at the time of his arrest.
Gescheidt said that Francis suffered a swollen right eye from the altercation.
Francis "is not a danger to anyone," she said. "He doesn't even smell of alcohol and it's not like he could have taken a shower."
Francis was held overnight at the police station and transferred to District Court in Providence yesterday morning.
Bail was set at $10,000 personal recognizance for the new charges.
Lt. Christopher J. Parella, of the East Providence Police Department, confirmed that Francis is still suspended without pay in light of the new charges.
In March 2005, Edward Viera filed a $100,000 claim against the City of East Providence after Francis kicked him in the face and broke his nose after a February arrest.
Viera had been arrested by Francis on two counts of assaulting a police officer, obstructing police, and resisting arrest.
An investigation by the department later found Francis falsely reported that Viera struggled and attempted to attack him at the police station.
A Providence grand jury indicted Francis on March 27, 2005, on one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault and battery with serious bodily injury resulting, one count of simple assault, and one count of filing a false document.
www.projo.com/eastbayandmass/content/projo_20060801_epcop1.18ced45.html
Officer Jason Francis, 29, of 884 Putnam Pike, was charged with possession of a firearm while intoxicated, a felony, and one count of simple assault and one count of disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.
An East Providence patrolman since 2000, Francis was suspended without pay in March 2005 after allegedly kicking in the face a handcuffed suspect who was seated in the police station.
He was charged with three counts of assault and one count of filing a false document and is currently awaiting an October trial.
Superior Court Judge William J. McAtee yesterday ordered Francis held in protective custody at the ACI pending a bail violation hearing Aug. 7.
While acknowledging that the prosecution's case was "indicative of something happening" at the Glocester residence, McAtee said he was concerned for the officer's safety in prison and scheduled an earlier court date for Francis.
"He should not be treated differently than anyone else," Assistant District Attorney Bethany Macktaz argued.
Francis allegedly struck his girlfriend and mother of his young child after an argument in the couple's bedroom Sunday night, according to Police Chief Jaime A. Hainsworth.
Police responded at 10 p.m. and found the couple arguing outside.
Macktaz said there were "visible signs of injury" to the woman's face, that Francis had allegedly hit her several times and "threw her around the room."
Francis then apparently loaded a shotgun and threatened to take his own life.
The loaded shotgun was found in the bedroom, Hainsworth said.
Lise J. Gescheidt, the lawyer representing Francis, said that her client denied the assault allegations, denied using the shotgun to threaten his girlfriend, and denied being drunk at the time of his arrest.
Gescheidt said that Francis suffered a swollen right eye from the altercation.
Francis "is not a danger to anyone," she said. "He doesn't even smell of alcohol and it's not like he could have taken a shower."
Francis was held overnight at the police station and transferred to District Court in Providence yesterday morning.
Bail was set at $10,000 personal recognizance for the new charges.
Lt. Christopher J. Parella, of the East Providence Police Department, confirmed that Francis is still suspended without pay in light of the new charges.
In March 2005, Edward Viera filed a $100,000 claim against the City of East Providence after Francis kicked him in the face and broke his nose after a February arrest.
Viera had been arrested by Francis on two counts of assaulting a police officer, obstructing police, and resisting arrest.
An investigation by the department later found Francis falsely reported that Viera struggled and attempted to attack him at the police station.
A Providence grand jury indicted Francis on March 27, 2005, on one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault and battery with serious bodily injury resulting, one count of simple assault, and one count of filing a false document.
www.projo.com/eastbayandmass/content/projo_20060801_epcop1.18ced45.html