Lynn man charged with assault to murder

LYNN – A judge ordered a city man held without bail after police said the man stabbed his neighbor repeatedly during an argument in a rooming house Thursday.”During the argument, he saw (the defendant) slash out at (the victim) with a knife he was holding in his hand and blood start to ?shoot out,'” Lynn Police Officer John Mackin wrote in a report, describing a witness’ statement.Robert L. Kaufman, 50, of 41 Light St. #2, was arrested and charged with assault to murder; at 2:34 p.m. Thursday. He was arraigned on the charge Friday in Lynn District Court, according to court documents.Police responded to the Light Street address at 1:30 p.m. Thursday on reports of a stabbing and met with several residents of the rooming house. Witnesses told officers they had heard Kaufman, nicknamed “Buddha,” arguing with the alleged victim but did not think much about it because “they were always arguing,” police reported.But one witness told officers he saw Kaufman stab the alleged victim and then saw Kaufman and his wife leave the building. Police said the alleged victim also reported Kaufman stabbed him. Kaufman’s wife echoed this statement, saying “he did it,” when police found her and Kaufman on Orchard Street, according to police.”Mrs. Kaufman stated that she saw Mr. Kaufman ?gut him,'” Lynn Police Officer Jerren Griffin wrote in a supplemental report. “Mrs. Kaufman was asked how many times the victim had been stabbed and she answered ?about 20 times.'”Kaufman, however, denied any wrongdoing.Kaufman said he was trying to help his wife, who was arguing with the alleged victim, according to police. But Kaufman said the alleged victim grabbed Kaufman’s wheelchair and flipped him over, according to the report. Kaufman allegedly told police he left the building and had “no idea” who stabbed the alleged victim.But police said Kaufman could not answer why he had blood on his leg and no visible fresh cuts on his body. Nor could Kaufman answer who brought his wheelchair down the stairs to the building so he could wheel himself away, police said.Prosecutors requested that Kaufman be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, according to court documents. Lynn District Court Judge Ellen Flatley accepted the request and scheduled the hearing for Nov. 14.