SALEM — A former Salem man who was found drunk and lying in the mulch outside a downtown restaurant last summer, and then scuffled with police who were trying to put him into protective custody, will spend the next two years on probation, a judge ordered yesterday.
Joseph Hatcher, 38, who now lives in Springfield, admitted to sufficient facts on charges of resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer yesterday in Salem District Court.
But under the terms of a plea agreement, the charges were continued without a finding for two years and will be dismissed if Hatcher stays out of trouble and complies with his probation conditions, including alcohol treatment.
Hatcher was found lying outside of a restaurant in the former Salem News building on Washington Street on Aug. 7.
When police found him, Hatcher was babbling into a cell phone, barely coherent.
But when police brought him to the station to put him into protective custody, Hatcher became enraged, said prosecutor Jen Andrade. He "raised a fist" toward the officers, Keith Reardon and Ryan Davis.
One of the officers slapped the side of Hatcher's head, which knocked the unsteady man to the floor.
Ultimately, it took five officers and a blast of pepper spray to get Hatcher into a cell, Andrade said.
Asked by Judge Richard Mori whether the facts outlined by the prosecutor were accurate, Hatcher, who is originally from Georgia, said, "I must admit, your honor, I don't recall. They say I did, so I must have."
Hatcher's lawyer, Paul Carrigan, said his client had just completed an alcohol treatment program.
He was living in Salem while he attended Salem State College, Carrigan said.
Syrian Boy Speaks Out, Survives Family Massacre
Judge Tells John Edwards Jury: Keep Deliberating
House Rejects Sex-selection Abortion Ban
Bush, Obama on Stage Together Share Laughs
SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth
Warming Gas Levels Hit 'Troubling Milestone'
Youngest-ever Speller Disappointed by Mistake
2 American Tourists Kidnapped in Egypt
Chen Guangcheng: 'Historic Transition' in China
New York City Seeks Big Drink Ban
Los Angeles Bans Plastic Grocery Bags
Raw Video: SpaceX Dragon Leaves Space Station
Police: Gunman Kills 5, Self in Seattle
Experts: Americans Must Prepare for Storm Season
Forest Fire Becomes New Mexico's Largest Ever
Montreal Police: Mailed Body Parts From Same Man
Facebook Expands Campus As Stock Shrinks
