SALEM – A Peabody man charged with bursting into the Lynn home of his estranged wife last winter and attacking her male companion at knife-point remains held at the Middleton Jail pending a dangerousness hearing.Rafael Zammit, 30, of 8 Aborn St. appeared Tuesday afternoon in Salem Superior Court, pleading innocent to home invasion, armed assault with intent to murder, armed assault in a dwelling, assault and battery, threats to commit the crime to kill and violation of a restraining order before Judge Timothy Q. Feeley.Assistant District Attorney Marcia H. Slingerland asked that Zammit be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, contending that Zammit poses a danger to the victims and community.Feeley agreed to set down next Monday, June 14 for the hearing.Slingerland submitted grand jury minutes, various police reports and a criminal record report to the judge to review prior to the hearing.Defense lawyer Mark G. Miliotis said he will argue against his client being held as a danger and will present conditions of release if the judge deems Zammit is a danger.In the meantime, Zammit remains held on a no bail status pending the hearing and decision of the judge.The charges arise from an incident in Lynn on the night of Feb. 26 when Zammit allegedly busted into his estranged wife’s home at 180 Judge Road shortly before 8 p.m.Once inside the premises, Zammit attacked a 30-year-old male inside the home with a knife, causing a cut on his hand, according to reports.As the attack escalated, Zammit threatened to kill the man, police said.At the time of the incident, his 26-year-old estranged wife had a restraining order out against him prohibiting him from having any contact with her and to stay away from her home.Zammit fled the scene following the attack and was arrested later that day in Lynn.A conviction on the home invasion carries a potential life sentence, armed assault in a dwelling carries a potential life sentence, armed assault with intent to murder carries up to 20 years in state prison, and assault and battery carries up to 30 months in jail.
