HOPKINTON, MA - The summer got off to a wild start at a small suburban community after a 70-year-old male with no prior arrest record was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a handicapped 21-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted and attempted to drown the young man at a community lake.
Police responded to a report of a fight near a boat access point of Lake Maspenock, Massachusetts, where they confronted and arrested 70-year-old Steven Darby after they discovered he had allegedly assaulted, strangled, and tried to drown 21-year-old Matt Duffy.
Disturbing video footage obtained by authorities showed Darby assaulting Duffy, who was using crutches, and subsequently attempting to drown the young man in shallow water.
It was reported that Darby became visibly agitated over the use of the lake by Duffy and his friends, who were reported to be using a jet ski. Darby apparently was questioning Duffy over whether he was allowed to be at the lake, which is reserved for nearby residents at specific times throughout the season.
"The only boat ramp to the lake, which straddles Hopkinton and Milford, exists on Lakeshore Drive, and it is limited to use by Hopkinton residents only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend," police reportedly said.
The argument between the two escalated, and video footage shows Darby striking Duffy, then mounting him in the shallow water and attempting to hold Duffy under water to drown him, as reported.
It was also reported that Duffy suffered severe injuries from a previous motorcycle accident and had very limited use of his limbs.
"He tackled me into the water, then we were fighting, and then he shoved my head under and was not letting me breathe until my friend came up and pulled him off me. I just knew I couldn't use either of my arms or my leg as they were both broken, and I was just praying that he let go or my friends pull him off of me,” Duffy told local media.
A Bizarre Case
As most law enforcement professionals know, assaults and attempted murder charges are often brought about by career criminals with “short fuses," irrational behaviors, and illogical reasoning. This type of aggressive nature is followed by a lifetime of arrests, charges, and subsequent prison sentences.
However, it was reported that 70-year-old Darby had no prior arrests or charges, which is rare and could be attributed to someone simply “snapping”.
With these facts considered, the judge leading the case said the video was “disturbing in many ways” but, based on all circumstances, could not approve the prosecution’s request to hold Darby without bail.
The judge then set bail at $7,500 and ordered Darby to stay away from Sandy Beach and Duffy.
Darby is scheduled for a court appearance for a probable cause hearing in July.
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Writer and author Eddie Molina has over 25 years of combined LEO and military service. Learn more about his interview articles at www.eddiemolina.com
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