The fire chief for the city of Danvers, MA, is facing charges of domestic violence and was placed on an administrative leave, due to an altercation that grew physical with his estranged spouse on June 27, as reported by the Boston Globe.
K.P.F. had a restraining order filed against him by his wife, J.F., in a prior incident. Allegedly there have been other domestic violence episodes between the divorcing couple and, according to prosecutors, K.P.F. has a history of mental illness.
On June 27, in Haverhill District Court, K.P.F., 49, was ordered held without bail while he awaits a dangerousness hearing.
Beginning on the evening of June 26, text messages to a mutual friend of the couple were seen by J.F. K.P.F. went to J.F.'s home to discuss the message. He later left, taking J.F.'s cellular phone with him.
After thirty minutes K.P.F. returned to the home, allegedly grabbed his wife by the wrist and hit himself in the face – using her hand. K.P.F. allegedly said, "I'm going to tell everyone you hit me."
J.F. told him that idea would never work as the marks on her wrist – made by his grip on her – would lead others to guess at the truth.
K.P.F. fled the home a second time, only to return a third time, after midnight.
While J.F. lay sleeping in her bed, K.P.F. allegedly entered her bedroom and flipped her mattress over. The couple's 24 year-old daughter, also in the home, was prompted by the ruckus and telephoned the police for help.
The time was now 1:40 in the morning. K.P.F. again left the home, but this time his parting words were, "I won't be alive in the morning, I'll be gone."
J.F.'s cellular phone, still carried by K.P.F., led police to locate him and transfer him to Anna Jacques Hospital. His condition is undisclosed but officers said that he was intoxicated.
K.P.F. pleaded not guilty to all charges: assault and battery, and witness intimidation.
Michael Baldassarre is the attorney representing K.P.F. Baldassarre said that his client did not behave in a violent manner and that the police had simply overreacted. Baldassarre said, "This doesn't rise to the level of anything more than an acrimonious divorce. There are many steps we can take. We don't have to lock up a 27-year decorated veteran of the fire department."
Essex Assistant District Attorney Ashlee Logan countered by saying that Baldassarre's claim was simply a "minimization of facts."
An earlier episode in 2010, which resulted in the restraining order, occurred when K.P.F. allegedly threatened his wife and son with making them watch while he killed himself with a nail gun.
The latest incident was allegedly prompted by K.P.F. looking to reconcile with J.F.
If you have been the victim of domestic violence, whether this is the first or just the most recent time you have been hurt, contact a family law attorney for help. The sooner charges are filed the sooner you can begin to claim your life back.