Lynn couple indicted for beating, robbing man near library

SALEM – A Lynn couple charged with brutally beating a 50-year-old Lynn man and leaving him face down on the sidewalk in front of the city’s public library in a pool of blood were two of four people indicted Wednesday afternoon by an Essex County grand jury.James S. Pearson, 28, and Tabbatha Gauthier, 31, both of 126 Union St., #33, Lynn, stand charged with unarmed robbery in connection with a holdup of a man on June 18, a crime that could net them each a life sentence in state prison.Pearson is also charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, shod foot, in connection with the case.According to reports, Steven Fennelly, the 50-year-old victim, was found by police in the area of City Hall Square at around 10:30 p.m. Witnesses told police they saw Pearson allegedly kick the victim’s head as he went down on the ground and then grabbed the man’s wallet.The couple were found nearby walking near City Hall and reportedly identified by witnesses as the pair that had robbed the victim.Police said they found several identification cards belonging to the victim on Gauthier during booking.Assistant District Attorney Kim Faitella is assigned to prosecute the case.Also indicted were:- Earle Duncan, 45, last known address of 11 Albany St., Lynn, is charged with three counts of rape of a child with force as well as a single count of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14.The allegations pertain to incidents between April 3, 2006 and April 8, 2006, when he allegedly raped a minor girl with force twice in a home on Linden Street and again at his Albany Street home. He also is charged with inappropriately touching the girl at the Linden Street home.The case was recently linked to Duncan through DNA testing taken from the girl at the hospital in April of 2006, according to reports.A conviction on each of the rape of a child with force charges carries a potential life sentence in state prison and indecent assault and battery on a child over the age of 14 carries up to five years in state prison.Assistant District Attorney Melissa Woodard is the prosecuting attorney in the case.- David Oth, 21, of 17 Magnolia Terrace, Peabody, is charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, subsequent offense, and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Oth was arrested on June 29 when police raided his home and allegedly seized approximately six twists of cocaine, $1,870 in cash, two grinders and plastic bags. His arrest took place within yards of the Burke Elementary School, police said.Oth, who police say is a self-admitted member of the Tiny Rascals street gang, known as TRG, was on probation at the time of his arrest on another drug-related case out of Salem District Court.Assistant District Attorney Michael Patten is the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case.Indictments are a legal process that allows a case to be transferred from District Court to Superior Court, allowing for a more severe punishment. It is not an indication of guilt.