Trio just axing for trouble with plot

LYNN – A District Court judge set low bail Monday for three men charged with kidnapping an East Boston man after defense attorneys said all four men are involved with the state mental health care system.Judge Albert Conlon set $7,500 bail for Christopher Kravitz, 25, of 63 Andover St., Peabody; $1,500 for Christopher McPherson, 37, of 56 Baltimore St., Lynn, and $1,000 bail for Lance McDonald, 23, of 50 Lynnway.”The facts appear to be unusual,” Conlon said after setting bail, “There appears to be some question about the (defendants’) ability to carry out a scheme of any sophistication.”The three pleaded innocent to charges of kidnapping for extortion, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a mentally challenged person as well as weapons violations and other charges.Assistant District Attorney Clint Muche sought $25,000 bail for Kravitz and McPherson and $15,000 for McDonald Monday, referencing police reports detailing East Boston resident Terrance Moore’s abduction last Saturday evening.Muche said Moore’s brother and sister called police to report Moore, 22, was being held “in Lynn at an unknown location” after being abducted on his way to Cambridge possibly because of “trouble with a loan shark.”Moore’s relatives told police his kidnappers initially asked for $500 in return for his release before escalating their demands to $1,500, then $15,000.Moore’s sister told police that during a telephone conversation with the kidnappers she “heard her brother being slapped and him saying, ‘Don’t hurt me.'”Moore’s brother arranged to meet the abductors at the Ward Bathhouse near the Nahant Rotary to free his brother. Police responded, spotted Moore based on his family’s description and arrested his captors. They subsequently identified Kravitz as the kidnap “ringleader” who held Moore captive with a “large, Rambo-style knife.””The three individuals took turns swinging at him (Moore) with a large ax,” Muche said, adding police found a “Medieval-style battle ax” believed to be the weapon used by the trio.”All these events stem from some sort of loan of money,” Muche said.Kravitz’ attorney, Kenneth Shutzer, said his client and Kravitz’ accomplices are state Department of Mental Health clients and said Moore receives mental health care.”Once this case has time to sort itself out there will be no facts to support any of these allegations,” Shutzer said.McPherson’s attorney said his client’s involvement in the kidnapping was limited to meeting Kravitz and McDonald at the Lynn Rotary shortly before police arrested the three. McDonald’s attorney said he has a court record but all previous charges brought against him have been dismissed or he was found innocent of the charges.The three are due back in court on Dec. 3.