PEABODY — A 39-year-old resident of the city who allegedly set fire to his apartment while his girlfriend was still inside it was ordered held without bail pending the outcome of a dangerousness hearing during his arraignment Wednesday.
Edi Diazabakana is charged with attempted murder, arson, domestic assault and battery on a household member, and kidnapping in connection with the incident, police said. He also faces charges of intimidating a witness/juror/court official and threatening to commit a crime, court records show.
During his arraignment, a plea of not guilty was entered on Diazabakana’s behalf. He was ordered to stay away from and have no contact with the victim, according to court records.
Officers responded to a report of an alarm sounding at 85 Lowell St. at 11 p.m. Tuesday, the Police Department said in a statement. The first responding officer to the scene reported that a female inside the apartment building was yelling for help. The woman told the officer her boyfriend was trying to kill her, police said.
The Fire Department was able to extinguish the blaze inside the apartment, which remains under investigation. Diazabakana is set to return to court for a dangerousness hearing on Aug. 16.
