SAUGUS — School committee member Arthur Grabowski won’t stand trial this month, but he will attend anger management classes.
Grabowski is facing felony charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon stemming from an incident last spring involving frozen food. He was set to stand trial last week, but on Dec. 1 the case was continued without a finding for six months. He will return to court June 6.
https://newitemlive.wpengine.com/news/saugus-schools-frozen-by-fish-fracas/
The 67-year-old is accused of hitting 73-year-old Martin Graney with a bag of frozen fish patties during an argument at a veterans’ food drive at the Saugus Senior Center in May, according to documents obtained from Lynn District Court.
According to the documents, each man varied in his account of what happened.
Graney told police he was approached by Grabowski, who greeted him with obscenities. He was invited to “take this outside” and followed Grabowski through the door. Once outside, Graney said, Grabowski spun around and hit him on the side of his head with the patties and fled the scene.
Grabowski admitted the two had an argument and said when he attempted to leave, Graney was blocking him. Grabowski said Graney told him he wanted to go outside, then hit him from behind. Grabowski was carrying food and hit Graney because he was blocking him, according to his account.
https://newitemlive.wpengine.com/news/saugus-parents-get-say-on-school/
On Dec. 1, Grabowski was ordered to stay away from Graney and to attend anger management classes, according to Carrie Kimball-Monahan, spokeswoman for Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office.
According to court documents, Grabowski has also been restricted from visiting the Senior Center. He declined to comment for this story.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte