Lynn pair accused of stabbing man held without bail

LYNN – A judge ordered two city women held without bail on assault and attempted murder charges in connection with a stabbing on Johnson Street Friday morning.But all parties claimed self-defense in the incident, and the women were to return to court today for a dangerousness hearing.Charla Mercaldi, 23, of 144 Broad St. #314, was arrested and charged with attempted murder; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a knife; malicious destruction of property valued more than $250; witness intimidation; and violation of a city knife ordinance; at 10:41 a.m. Friday.Kimberly Delorto, 23, of 239 Judge Road, was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; attempted murder; and assault and battery; at 10:41 a.m. Friday.The two appeared in Lynn District Court Monday where a plea of not guilty was entered on each defendant’s behalf.Police responded to the area of Johnson Street and Henry Avenue and found a 25-year-old city man with his face and head covered in blood and stab wounds to his head and back, according to a report by Lynn Police Officer Thomas Morley.The alleged victim told officers he was walking when a gray Scion pulled up beside him and its occupants began yelling at him and then got out of the car and “aggressively approached,” police reported.The alleged victim said he got out his phone to call police but “a short, stubby white male with a slight moustache” grabbed the phone and smashed it, Morley reported.The alleged victim told police a fight ensued during which he felt “a painful sensation” on his back and saw the male suspect had a knife. The attackers also allegedly grabbed hold of the alleged victim’s jacket and punched him before driving away, police said.A witness largely corroborated the alleged victim’s story but said she called police after seeing a knife and did not witness the actual stabbing.The witness positively identified both suspects, who were stopped by police outside the police station shortly following the alleged incident.Morley reported the “male suspect” was later identified as Mercaldi, who “does have facial growth on her upper lip and with her clothing and hairstyle she could easily be mistaken for a male.”The alleged victim told police he thought the incident was a case of mistaken identity as the suspects were calling him “Roger,” Morley reported. But police noted the alleged victim was previously charged in a domestic incident involving Delorto.Mercaldi also immediately insisted to police that she stabbed the alleged victim in self-defense, Lynn Police Officer Ryan Dulong reported.Mercaldi said she and Delorto were meeting the alleged victim to collect money owed to Delorto, according to Dulong. Delorto got out of the vehicle to speak with the alleged victim, who subsequently grabbed her, prompting Mercaldi to come to the other woman’s aid, Mercaldi allegedly told police.Mercaldi said the alleged victim had a knife but she turned it on him, stabbing him, Dulong reported.But Mercaldi also told police she threw the knife into a yard; despite police later finding the weapon rolled up in her pants, according to police reports.Delorto told police said she was trying to break up a fight between Mercaldi and the alleged victim, according to a report from Lynn Police Officer Nick Woodbury.Essex Assistant District Attorney Emily Mello requested Mercaldi and Delorto both be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, according to court documents.Judge James Wexler found probable cause to hold the defendants, who are scheduled to return to court today for the hearing.