Lynn man accused of strangling girlfriend

LYNN – A judge ordered $1,500 cash bail for a homeless city man who allegedly strangled his girlfriend when she walked in on him in bed with another woman.Hakeem Hall, 23, homeless, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a household/family member; and strangulation/suffocation; at 10:46 a.m. last Wednesday.A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf at his arraignment later that day in Lynn District Court.Police reported responding to an Elm Street apartment on the report of a domestic incident and meeting the alleged victim.The woman told police that she went to help set up a graduation party and found Hall naked in bed with one of the her co-workers, Lynn Police Officer Timothy Donovan wrote in a report.The alleged victim told officers she tried to get into the room. But Hall allegedly first shut the door on her and then allegedly grabbed her around the neck, strangling her. He and the other woman then fled the scene, the alleged victim told police in a report.Police reported finding the new couple shortly thereafter. The woman told police Hall was trying to defend her from being assaulted after the alleged victim caught the new couple in bed, police reported. Police noted the alleged victim had scratch marks on her face. The police report does not refer to any injuries on the alleged victim.At Hall’s arraignment, Essex Assistant District Attorney Erin Bellavia requested the defendant be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for this Wednesday. Bellavia withdrew the request Thursday and asked that Hall be held on $5,000 cash bail instead.Judge Albert Conlon ordered $1,500 cash bail and scheduled Hall to return to court Sept. 11.