SALEM – A former Swampscott man charged with stabbing a co-worker eight times outside the Taco Bell on Highland Avenue in Salem last July is being held without bail following his arraignment Friday in Salem Superior Court.Chaz Lee Burton, 21, who last lived at 9 Elliott St., Swampscott, but has been living in Quincy with his mother, pleaded innocent to charges of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, as well as seven counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.Assistant District Attorney James P. Gubitose filed a petition asking that Judge John T. Lu hold Burton without bail due to the nature and circumstances of the case and because he posed a danger to the community and the victim.”He ambushed the victim. Stabbed him eight times, puncturing his lung and the victim underwent surgery to his spleen. It all happened in the middle of the night. The defendant was armed with a large knife and attacked the victim as he was coming out of work,” Gubitose said.Lu then explained he wanted to further review CDs from an earlier district court hearing, which he had not yet received, before making a final decision as to dangerousness and stated he would make a decision on bail sometime next week.Defense lawyer Alice Jayne told Lu that the district court judge had released her client with a set of conditions, which he has abided by.Jayne emphasized to Lu that it took the family time to raise the $10,000 cash.The victim, 23-year-old Derrick Cusumano of Beverly, was stabbed once in the face and seven times in the torso area, one slash piercing his lung. Cusumano was first taken to Salem Hospital and then transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he spent a week after undergoing emergency surgery.
