Lynn man charged with armed assault to murder

LYNN – A judge ordered a city man held on $5,000 cash bail after the man allegedly admitted stabbing a man who was visiting the defendant’s wife.The alleged victim was just released from custody after being found guilty of assaulting the defendant.”(The defendant) stated as soon as I approached him, ?that’s him right there,’ pointing to (the alleged victim) who had blood all over his T-shirt,” Lynn Police Officer William Stilwell wrote in a report. The officer reported he then asked the defendant if the other man had stabbed him. “(The defendant) replied, ?no, I stabbed him.'”Clarence Ash Jr., 40, of 27 Union St. #16, was arrested and charged with armed assault to murder; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; and mayhem; on Tuesday.Ash was arraigned on the charges Wednesday in Lynn District Court where a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.Police reported responding to the Union Street address at 11:32 a.m. Tuesday and found two men outside, with one of the men wearing a T-shirt covered in blood. Ash immediately confessed to stabbing the man and was placed in handcuffs, according to police.Police reported the alleged victim – a 26-year-old man – had multiple stab wounds on his right hand, the left part of his face and on the back of his neck as well as a serious cut to his thumb.”I noticed that (the alleged victim’s) right thumb was cut deep and appeared that it was going to fall off,” Stilwell reported. “It should be noted that while on scene, Lynn Fire stated to (the alleged victim) that if he did not go to the hospital he would lose his thumb.”Assistant District Attorney Emily Mello told the court the alleged victim had been released from the custody of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department earlier Sunday and had traveled to Lynn to visit his ex-girlfriend, who was now married to Ash. Ash had a restraining order against the alleged victim, Mello said. But she said it appears Ash let the alleged victim inside his home and the two began discussing the alleged victim’s relationship with Ash’s wife. Fifteen to 20 minutes later, Ash became “enraged,” went into the kitchen and started stabbing the alleged victim with two kitchen knives, Mello said. Ash allegedly chased the victim outside and dropped the knives in a pile of leaves just before encountering police. Ash’s wife corroborated the account, Mello said, and police recovered the knives with evidence of blood.Mello requested Ash be held on $50,000 cash bail and that he stay away and have no contact with the alleged victim.Defense attorney Alicia Andrews said that Ash denied allowing the alleged victim into his home. Andrews said Ash said he woke up to find the alleged victim inside his apartment and asked the alleged victim to leave. Andrews also noted the alleged victim had just served a year-long sentence for assault and battery on Ash.”Ash stated that (the alleged victim) forced his way in the house so Ash stabbed (the alleged victim) for his protection in the house,” police said.Andrews requested Ash be released on personal recognizance, saying he was disabled and could not afford even a small amount of bail. In response to Judge Ellen Flatley pointing out that the defendant had a long record in Florida, Andrews said the defendant told her the record was really his father’s ? although the birth date appeared to be the defendant’s.Flatley ordered $5,000 cash bail and scheduled Ash to return to court Dec. 27.