SALEM – Two Lynn men accused of trying to kill an 18 year old on Timson Street last May during an attempted robbery remain held without bail at the Middleton Jail pending a dangerousness hearing.Darkens Bonnett, 19, of 16 Osborne St. and Brandon Payne, 21, of 25 Beyer Place, #2, appeared Wednesday in Salem Superior Court for their arraignment.They pleaded innocent to armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license and buying and receiving stolen property over $250 before Judge John T. Lu.Assistant District Attorney James P. Gubitose filed a petition seeking a dangerousness hearing because he maintains the two men pose a danger to the community and the safety of the victim. A hearing is scheduled on Sept. 7.Gubitose reported to Lu that he anticipated that the hearing would not involve live testimony and would be argued on the court documents presented before the court by the state and from the defense.In the meantime, Lu ordered that Bonnett and Payne remain held without bail.In addition, both defense attorneys agreed that any documents turned over to the suspects will have the witness names redacted to protect them.The charges arise from an incident that began around 2:30 a.m. on May 18, when the victim, Elder Palmer, 18, of 142 Timson St., told authorities he was walking towards his home when two men wearing hooded sweatshirts approached him, demanding he turn over his money. He felt scared and started running away, but as he fled he was shot in the chest and buttocks, apparently from the attempted holdup men.Palmer was taken to Union Hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and was treated and released.Police responding to the scene spotted a red Oldsmobile on Grant Street that was linked to the shooting incident. They arrested the driver, Earl Damico, 35, of Lynn and pursued Bonnett on foot before apprehending him.Police recovered two .25 caliber handguns during their arrests and a big screen television inside the red Oldsmobile. The television had been reported stolen earlier from a Burrill Avenue home.Payne was arrested a week later following an investigation.Police officers Paul Cotter Jr., John Bernard and Edward Monahan are credited with their capture.Damico was not indicted in connection with the case.Bonnett is also charged with the November 2009 murder of Vincent Gaskins of Lynn, but has yet to be indicted on that case.
