Posted on 01/05/2005 8:45:59 AM PST by pabianice
Bail denied on suspect in attack on brother
MARLBORO, MA — Thomas J. Kerrigan Jr. was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a 30-day evaluation after a doctor testified yesterday in court that Mr. Kerrigan admitted to a $200-a-day crack cocaine habit, daily marijuana use and alcoholism.
Marlboro District Court Judge Thomas F. Sullivan Jr. also deemed Mr. Kerrigan a danger to society, himself and others, and ordered him held without bail for the duration of his criminal case, in which he is charged with attacking his brother, Hudson Police Officer Joseph Kerrigan, with a knife on Christmas Eve.
Judge Sullivan described Mr. Kerrigan, 43, of 18 Florence St., Hudson, as “extremely violent” and said he “can’t function in society because of his abuse.”
Defense lawyer Charles Hughes wanted the judge to set bail in the case and, if Mr. Kerrigan is released, to place him on an electronic monitoring bracelet. If Mr. Kerrigan is released, Mr. Hughes also wanted Judge Sullivan to order Mr. Kerrigan to report to the probation department daily, along with daily urine tests. The proposed conditions would also order Mr. Kerrigan to stay away from his brother.
Judge Sullivan cited Mr. Kerrigan’s lengthy criminal record, which includes a 1995 conviction for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and his substance abuse as reasons to hold him without bail.
Dr. Alan Schonberger, a forensic psychologist, interviewed Mr. Kerrigan before yesterday’s court proceedings. Dr. Schonberger said Mr. Kerrigan admitted to cocaine, marijuana and alcohol addictions. Mr. Kerrigan’s habit over the past two months consisted of $200 worth of crack cocaine and two marijuana “joints” a day, the doctor testified.
Mr. Kerrigan was also characterized as a binge drinker who sometimes drank a gallon of vodka over a couple of days, Dr. Schonberger testified before the dangerousness hearing began.
Mr. Kerrigan has attended multiple drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, and sometimes blacks out when he drinks, the doctor said. Mr. Kerrigan also suffers from depression, he added. The doctor recommended Mr. Kerrigan be sent to Bridgewater State Hospital because he would not be able to access drugs there.
During the dangerousness hearing, Hudson Police Sgt. James K. Murphy gave more details about the Christmas Eve fight between the brothers.
Police became aware of Officer Kerrigan’s need for help when he turned on an alarm on his uniform. The alarm lets the station know an officer needs help.
When police headed to 18 Florence St., where Mr. Kerrigan lives with his elderly mother, they found Officer Kerrigan injured with a swollen face and a cut on his left arm, Sgt. Murphy said.
Officer Kerrigan, 36, stopped by his mother’s home on Christmas Eve and was attacked by his brother, police allege. No one said yesterday how the fight started.
Mr. Kerrigan allegedly punched, kicked and stabbed his brother with a 12-inch kitchen knife, court records said. Mr. Kerrigan also allegedly grabbed for Officer Kerrigan’s gun.
“He (Officer Kerrigan) thought his brother was going to kill him,” Sgt. Murphy said. “He said he was in fear.”
When police arrived they had to search for Mr. Kerrigan, who was found holding a knife to his own throat in a pantry doorway, Sgt. Murphy testified. One police officer had to use a baton to knock the knife out of Mr. Kerrigan’s hand, he said.
Mr. Kerrigan continued to struggle with police while on the ground and reached for knives that had been strewn about the kitchen floor, Sgt. Murphy said. Mr. Kerrigan was highly intoxicated during his arrest, the sergeant added.
Dr. Schonberger said Mr. Kerrigan did not remember anything about the fight and admitted to being drunk. Mr. Kerrigan’s girlfriend was at the home during the fight along with the Kerrigans’ mother, who was upstairs.
Mr. Hughes said Mr. Kerrigan takes care of his mother. The statement prompted Judge Sullivan to reply, “If he is using drugs and drinking, he is not taking care of his mother.”
Mr. Kerrigan will return to court on Jan. 31. He is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery and resisting arrest.
This man tries to murder a police officer, who is his own brother, right in front of his mother and girlfriend, and someone thinks he SHOULDN'T go to jail?! If anyone needs proof that we need to bring back firing squads, here you go.
His alias is Cleavon Little.
And I thought that crack was cheap.
Gotta find those "root causes"...this is the People's Republic of Massachusetts, after all! Probably a defective gene, or something;)
Where does this guy get the money for a $1,400 dollar a week crack habit?
I've got a fairly decent job and his habit comes within $300 a week of my clear pay.
If drug dealing is the answer to that question, there are some serious problems with the 'War on Drugs'.
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