SALEM – A Lynn man accused of beating an elderly citizen at Pine Grove Cemetery in May remains held on no bail pending a dangerousness hearing.Mark Raza, 39, of 75 Silsbee St., #107, pleaded innocent at his arraignment Monday to two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot and a cement fountain), assault with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, mayhem and assault and battery before Salem Superior Court Judge Howard J. Whitehead.Assistant District Attorney Kim M. Faitella said Raza poses a danger to the community and should be held as a dangerous person pending his trial.A dangerousness hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18 in which Faitella will present evidence as to the case and the danger Raza poses if released pending trial. Defense lawyer Ronald J. Ranta will argue there are conditions of relief to ensure the public safety and to the accused.On the night of May 9 at around 10 p.m., Raza allegedly attacked a 73-year-old Lynn man at Lynn’s Pine Grove Cemetery, kicking him in the face, head and body while apparently tossing a cement fountain at him.The victim sustained facial fractures, broken ribs and is now blind in his left eye as a result of the incident.The two, known to each other, reportedly were visiting a relative’s gravesite when Raza attacked the victim.A conviction on mayhem carries up to 20 years in a state prison; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious injury carries up to 15 years in prison and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon carries 10 years on each count in prison and assault and battery carries 30 months in jail.In essence, Raza is looking at 57 and one-half years behind bars, if convicted on all charges.
