Swampscott man allegedly threatens to kill wife

LYNN – A judge ordered $1,000 cash bail and that a Swampscott man not enter the town after the man’s wife told police the defendant put his hand on her neck and threatened to kill her.Mark Wall, 45, of 19 Charlotte Road, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a household/family member; and threat to commit crime, murder; on Aug. 17. He pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment the following day in Lynn District Court.Police responded to the Charlotte Road home at 11:39 p.m. Aug. 17 where a woman said her husband had strangled her and he was carrying a knife and planned to kill himself, Swampscott Police Officer Brendan Reen wrote in a report.Officers found Wall inside watching television and without any weapons; he said his wife had been drinking, according to police.Both parties told police they had argued, however, after Wall overheard his wife arranging a 2 a.m. meeting with another man and she lied when confronted about it, police reported. Both parties also agreed Wall took his wife’s cell phone and walked outside to throw the phone into Phillips Park.The alleged victim said Wall then assaulted her, put his hand on her neck and stated, ?I will (expletive) kill you,'” Reen reported.The alleged victim said she pushed away and called police, at which point Wall allegedly took a kitchen knife and said he was going to kill himself.Wall repeatedly denied ever touching or threatening his wife, according to police.Officers also noted no signs of strangulation or red marks on the alleged victim, according to reports. Police said both parties appeared to have been drinking, and Wall said he thought his wife had a substance-abuse problem.At Wall’s arraignment, Essex Assistant District Attorney Aimee Conway requested the defendant be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.Essex Assistant District Attorney Katelyn Giliberti withdrew that request the day of the hearing and agreed to a recommendation with defense attorney William Martin for a $1,000 cash bail and conditions of release. Judge James LaMothe ordered conditions including that Wall abide by a restraining order, comply with the Department of Children and Families, stay away and have no contact with the alleged victim, and be fitted with a GPS bracelet to ensure he stays out of Swampscott.