Local News
Man back in custody in baby shaking case
SALEM — A Salem man who was released from custody last month over the objection of prosecutors, who have charged him with shaking his baby son, is back behind bars after a string of violations.
A Salem District Court judge determined last May that Nicholas Pratt, 24, formerly of 4 Bertuccio Ave., was too dangerous to release on bail, after he was charged with abusing his longtime girlfriend and their 6-month-old baby.
But last month, Salem Superior Court Judge Timothy Feeley overruled the District Court judge, finding that while Pratt poses a danger to the woman and the child, there were conditions, including a no-contact order, a curfew and a requirement that he work full time, that would protect the two. He released Pratt.
Earlier this month, however, his now-former girlfriend told his probation officer that Pratt had gone to their old apartment and vandalized the rented furniture there. He was arrested again.
The man with whom Pratt was living, his supervisor at Total Entertainment, also had expressed concern that Pratt's whereabouts were unknown between the time he left work, usually before 6 p.m., and his curfew time of 10 p.m. Pratt has lost his job at Total Entertainment, where he supervised bounce houses.
Prosecutor Karen Hopwood said the case against Pratt may be presented to a grand jury for indictment. The child was found to have suffered skull fractures, though not directly related to the incident that led to Pratt's arrest.
Pratt's lawyer, William O'Hare, argued that the accusations are being prompted by recent developments in the case and are an effort to keep Pratt locked up.
O'Hare said the evidence points just as strongly to the child's mother as the source of his injuries.
Judge Richard Mori, after hearing from both sides, granted the prosecutor and probation department's request to put Pratt back in custody.
He's due back in court Aug. 7.
- Local News
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Salem mayor's health care proposal spurned by Firefighters Union
SALEM — One day after the leadership of the police patrolmen's union voted not to bring a contract proposal before its membership, the firefighters followed suit.
Mayor Kim Driscoll said she was told late yesterday that the fire union's bargaining team rejected the city's offer and voted not to bring it to a membership vote. -
Fix sought for wall at Folly Hill development
DANVERS — A failed section of a riprap overlooking Bradley Road is one of the issues the Planning Board wants more information about when it takes up the luxury housing development on Folly Hill next month.
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Argument over welfare of rabbit leads to father's arrest
DANVERS — Danvers police played "who's got the rabbit?" Wednesday afternoon as they investigated simultaneous reports of a domestic dispute and a call to check on the well-being of a bunny.
It turned out to be a fight between a father and a son over how the father was caring — or failing to care — for the hare. -
Salem advocate gets to shake president's hand
SALEM — It has been a big two weeks for Mary Margaret Moore.
The executive director of the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, the regional disabilities agency based in Salem, was in Washington, D.C., for national conferences and for the celebration Monday of the 20th anniversary of the passage of the landmark civil rights legislation, the Americans With Disabilities Act. -
Auto body worker admits fleeing scene of collision
DANVERS — A now-former employee of an auto body shop pleaded guilty yesterday to crashing into two customers' cars there and then leaving the scene.
Daniel Borowiecki, 28, formerly of Atkinson, N.H., also admitted that his driver's license was under suspension at the time. - Police
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Salem mayor's health care proposal spurned by Firefighters Union
