Bat attack suspect held pending trial

LYNN – A judge ordered a Saugus man held pending trial after police and witnesses said the man attacked his daughter’s ex-boyfriend and others with a bat during a fight in September. The judge also revoked the man’s bail in an unrelated assault case.Anthony Morales, 39, of 366 Central St. #1, Saugus, pleaded not guilty Sept. 22 to assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts; and armed assault in a dwelling, two counts.Lynn Police reported responding to a Woodman Street address on the afternoon of Sept. 21 where three men and a woman told officers two cars pulled up and the occupants began attacking them.Morales allegedly used a steel baseball bat to hit the three male victims and then allegedly followed one of the men and a woman inside the house and continued the attack.The assailants allegedly fled when somebody yelled that police had been called.One of the alleged victims identified Morales as the person wielding the bat, and said the defendant was his ex-girlfriend’s father. Police reported all of the alleged victims had minor injuries.At Morales’ arraignment, a judge ordered the defendant held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.Essex Assistant District Attorney Mark Byron argued during the hearing – held last Tuesday and Thursday – that no conditions of release could ensure the safety of the alleged victim or the community.But defense attorney Joanne Hnat questioned witnesses’ varying accounts of how many cars pulled up to the home and how many people were actually involved in the alleged incident.”I got issues,” one of the alleged victims replied, while holding his finger up to his head and making a circular motion. He said he was bipolar.Police noted that an independent witness also saw the alleged incident.Judge Albert Conlon found Morales to be a danger and ordered the defendant held without bail for 120 days, according to court documents. Conlon also revoked Morales’ bail on an open assault case, in which the defendant allegedly became enraged and smashed a glass vase, a shard from which injured a young teen. Morales is charged with wanton and malicious destruction of property +$250; assault and battery; and witness intimidation; in that case, which is scheduled for a jury trial today.