Assault charges dropped vs. Lynn man

LAWRENCE – Assault and battery charges against a Lynn man were dropped Tuesday after the victim in the case declined to appear for trial.James D. Blood, 25, of 414 Essex St., stood charged with two counts of assault and battery on a pregnant woman and two counts of assault and battery, but all charges were dropped Tuesday morning in Lawrence Superior Court after Assistant District Attorney Kristen R. Buxton reported to Judge Leila R. Kern that the victim in the case, his former girlfriend, did not voluntarily appear to testify at the trial and that she had no intention to appear.As a result, Buxton was forced to drop all charges against Blood.Prosecutors accused Blood of beating his now 25-year-old former girlfriend beginning in November 2005.Then on May 12, 2007, when she was four months pregnant, Blood allegedly grabbed her around the neck and then threw a phone at her as she tried to call for help from their apartment.The following month, Blood apparently punched her again to the ground and repeatedly kicked her and struck her in the head. Two days later she went to Salem Hospital, went into premature labor, and the fetus subsequently died.Blood vehemently denied all the allegations from the onset on the case.The couple had had a 4-year relationship, authorities said.