PEABODY — A man charged with shooting out the back window of a car on Munroe Street last week allegedly told Lynn police that he had done so because he didn't believe Peabody police would investigate a drive-by shooting outside his girlfriend's home.
Hector Batista, 19, of Lynn is facing a string of charges, including three counts of attempted murder, as well as drug possession and gun charges stemming from the incident last Wednesday.
During a hearing Monday in Salem District Court on whether Batista would be found in violation of his probation in a 2008 cocaine-possession case, a probation officer told the judge that Batista had essentially confessed to the Peabody incident during questioning by Lynn police.
The officer told Judge Richard Mori that Batista didn't think Peabody police would do anything about an earlier incident.
Peabody police have said only that the shooting may be gang-related and have offered no information about the earlier drive-by shooting, which allegedly involved a home in Peabody where Batista's girlfriend lives.
Batista was in Peabody District Court yesterday for what was scheduled to be a dangerousness hearing.
The hearing was postponed until Monday to give his new attorney time to prepare. He will remain in custody at least until then.







