Lynn man accused of rape held without bail

SALEM – A Superior Court judge deemed a Lynn man accused of dragging and raping a woman in a church lot too dangerous to be released at a noon Salem Superior Court hearing today.Jereome Smith, 37, of 75 Broad St., allegedly grabbed a 22-year-old woman in front of St. Joseph?s Rectory on 40 Green St. on Sept. 29 and dragged her down a driveway before raping her, according to a police report.Smith’s attorney, Christopher Norris, argued that there was no way for the judge to know what actually happened based only on police reports and witness accounts, but Justice John Lu said Smith’s past record of violence towards women was too much to disregard.Smith has said the woman was a prostitute who was willing to engage in sexual activity with him without pay.Smith is due back in court March 7.Read the full story in Thursday’s Daily Item.