Court punch means new charges for Lynn suspect

LYNN – A Lynn man who appeared in District Court on attempted murder charges on Monday is facing new charges stemming from his involvement in a courtroom scuffle, according to court records.Lynn Police charged Paul Votano, 28, of 73 Lewis St., with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (handcuffs) after he allegedly punched another man while awaiting his hearing in the dock of Session 1 at Lynn District Court, according to a police report. The dock is the area of the courtroom where defendants are held until their case is called.Rony Robles told court officers he was sitting on a bench in the dock looking ahead when he felt a blow to the face from Votano, who was sitting next to him, the report said, and felt Votano?s handcuffs collide with his upper lip before the bench tipped over.Court officers pulled Votano off the man after less than a minute and Votano was escorted out of the courtroom, the report said. Robles, who the report said was bleeding from the nose and lip, refused medical attention. The court officers confirmed Votano and all the other defendants were wearing handcuffs and leg irons at the time, according to the report.Votano was in court Monday to be arraigned on an attempted murder charge. He allegedly stabbed 40-year-old Shawn McDormand in the neck Sunday night during an altercation in a Lynn apartment, according to police reports. McDormand was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, according to police, but his condition was unavailable as of Wednesday.Votano has a long criminal history of assault, larceny and drug charges, including incarceration, according to court records. But Votano?s attorney, Gary Zerola of Boston, said Monday that Votano was visiting a woman known to McDormand and Votano in the apartment building when McDormand confronted Votano, and “hosed him down with some sort of chemical Mace.”Votano, who is being held at Middleton Jail without bail, will be arraigned on the new charges during his dangerousness hearing scheduled for May 17, according to court records.Taylor Provost can be reached at [email protected].