SALEM — A Salem man charged with attacking a 60-year-old food delivery driver Sunday afternoon found himself back in handcuffs, after prosecutors moved to have him deemed a danger to the public and held without bail.
Timothy Gokey Jr., 28, of 9 Laurent Road had been free on $2,500 cash bail following his arrest on charges that include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60. But yesterday, during Gokey's arraignment in Salem District Court, he was ordered back into custody to await a hearing today to determine whether he poses a danger to the public.
If a judge decides he is dangerous, Gokey could be held without bail for up to 90 days.
Prosecutor Jane Prince told a judge that the victim, Francis Riggieri, suffered serious facial and head injuries, including a broken nose and multiple cuts, as well as back strain, when he was punched, slammed into his car hard enough to leave a dent and then slammed to the ground.
Gokey was angry that Riggieri had tried to open the door to what he thought was a common hallway, after getting no response to a knock on the door, the prosecutor said.
Riggieri initially declined medical attention but later went to the hospital, where he learned about the extent of his injuries.
Riggieri and his wife, who own Fran and Diane's Kitchen on Lafayette Street, were in court for the arraignment and will have to return to court to testify at today's hearing. His facial injuries were still visible yesterday.
Prince said she also plans to call witnesses and a police officer to testify at the hearing.
Gokey's lawyer, Benjamin Richard, objected to the request for a delay, saying that if prosecutors want to conduct a hearing, they should be required to do so immediately so that Gokey would not have to spend the night in jail.
Courts reporter Julie Manganis may be reached at 978-338-2521 or jmanganis@salemnews.com.
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants
Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
