BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) - A judge ordered a Massachusetts state police sergeant Tuesday to remain jailed without bail on charges of assaulting a girlfriend in her New Hampshire home after she told him she wanted to end their relationship.
Lawyers for Sgt. Bryan Erickson, 38, entered not guilty pleas on his behalf on charges of second-degree and simple assault, obstructing report of a a crime; disobeying an officer; criminal trespass; and reckless operation.
The judge also ordered that Erickson be evaluated for his possible release into the community. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 10.
A police affidavit alleges that Erickson, who is married, took his 29-year-old girlfriend’s cellphone and threw her on a bed. He allegedly “wrapped her arms around her on the bed and knelt on her upper thigh area so that she could barely breathe and could not move,” and “put his hand on her neck and one of her fingers down her throat” to stop her from screaming. Erickson also is accused of head-butting the woman twice.
He allegedly said, “I don’t care if it hurts you,” according to the affidavit.
Police said they responded to a 911 hang-up call at the Exeter house and found Erickson in the garage. Police said he sped off at about 80 mph and that they were unable to stop him. Erickson was later arrested by his own department at his home in Groveland, Massachusetts, early Sunday. He has been suspended from duty, his lawyer, Paul Garrity, said.
Garrity asked for Erickson to be released on his own recognizance, saying that he is a U.S. Marines veteran and a member of the state police since 2005. His career includes being a liaison with various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. He has received commendations for his service.
Prosecutor Jill Cook argued against Erickson’s release, saying he would endanger the safety of the woman and the public. Garrity said to say Erickson is a danger “flies in the face of all he’s done in the past.”
He said it’s his understanding that if Erickson were to violate any bail conditions, which includes having no contact with the woman, “he would go from suspended to immediate termination.”
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