Easthampton man remains jailed on assault, kidnapping charges
Published: 03-21-2024 10:36 AM |
NORTHAMPTON — An Easthampton man accused of assaulting his disabled father and holding him hostage during a night of terror remained incarcerated Wednesday after pleading not guilty to 11 charges in Hampshire Superior Court.
Kevin Pardee, 37, is charged with felony counts of kidnapping, strangulation, four counts of assault and battery on an elderly or disabled person, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, intimidation of a witness, and two misdemeanor counts of malicious destruction of property. He was indicted by a grand jury Feb. 29 after pleading not guilty to the charges in Northampton District Court in December.
Judge Edward McDonough agreed to adopt the recommendation of defense attorney Daniel Bergin and Assistant District Attorney Matthew Russo that Pardee remain in jail pending a dangerousness hearing March 27.
According to facts presented by the commonwealth at Pardee’s arraignment in district court, Easthampton police received a report Dec. 28 from Pardee’s father, Gerry Pardee, that his son had attacked him the previous evening and prevented him from leaving the house. He told police his son was distraught over a break-up with his girlfriend and wanted him to call her and help resolve their differences.
Gerry Pardee, who walks with a cane and uses a pacemaker, told police his son, angered by something he had said on the phone, knocked him to the ground. After ordering him to sit at the kitchen table, he said, his son stabbed the table with a knife and started questioning him. If he didn’t like the answers, he would punch his father.
He then allegedly choked his father, stabbed his cellphone, destroyed the house phones so he couldn’t call for help and only allowed him to go to bed if he made certain promises.
Michael Foy, the defense attorney for Pardee’s arraignment in district court, told the judge his client didn’t remember anything of his alleged behavior on the night in question because he had suffered a head injury in a motor vehicle accident the night before.
Prosecutors said Kevin Pardee has a significant history of violence dating back to 2004 and recently completed two years on probation after being found guilty of assault and battery.
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In 2017, Pardee was sentenced to 4 to 5½ years in prison for beating and terrorizing his girlfriend in two incidents, one of which led to a standoff with Easthampton police.
Staff Writer James Pentland can be reached at jpentland@gazettenet.com.