GREENFIELD – A man facing charges of kidnapping and other crimes stemming from an alleged Feb. 1 incident was arraigned Friday afternoon in Franklin County Superior Court, where his case has been transferred due to its severity.

Brian A. Chamberland, 38, of Athol, pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy, two counts of assault and battery, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of kidnapping, and single counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and stealing by confining or putting in fear. His $1,000 bail from District Court was transferred to Superior Court, with no conditions of release.

He had posted bail after arraignment in Orange District Court, but failed to appear in Superior Court on Monday and it initially appeared he would miss Friday’s rescheduled appointment as well. Assistant District Attorney Joseph Webber, who is prosecuting this case for the commonwealth, asked Judge David Hodge to issue a default warrant for Chamberland’s arrest. He mentioned he had requested Chamberland be held without the right to bail due to a history of failing to appear. Bail is a financial incentive to make one’s scheduled court appearances. Hodge agreed to issue a warrant but opted to give Chamberland until the end of the day to show up. Chamberland arrived at roughly 3:45 p.m. on Friday.

Athol residents April A. McCassie, 41, James Murphy, 30, Franklin L. Payne and Ronald P. Mitchell III, 33, as well as Marlene M. Hill, 45, of Orange, all face similar charges in connection with this case.

According to police reports, a man visited the Athol Police Station at roughly 5:10 p.m. on Feb. 2 to report being assaulted the previous night and having several items stolen. The man had injuries to his hand, head, face and back, and was directed to Athol Hospital for medical evaluation.

The man told police over the course of three interviews that he and a friend visited 32 Laurel St. at about 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 to try to purchase narcotics. According to police reports, McCassie accused the two men of being at 5 Sanders St. when items were stolen the previous night. The reporting victim later told police he and the other man had stolen clothes belonging to co-defendant Franklin L. Payne’s brother.

The victim said McCassie called Payne to inform him the other man was at the house. Two men — later identified as Chamberland and co-defendant James Murphy — then allegedly grabbed his friend and held him until Payne arrived.

The reporting victim said Payne arrived and began hitting the other man before questioning the victim, who admitted to stealing the clothing. He said Payne started hitting him in the face and dragged him into the back bedroom. According to police reports, Payne at some point opened a pocket knife that fell out of the victim’s backpack and held the blade to the victim’s face, saying he was going to cut him. The reporting complainant reported Payne threatened to knock the other man unconscious if the two victims did not fight each other. The victim said his friend placed him in a chokehold until Payne separated them.

The reporting victim told police that Payne removed his own belt and began whipping his back, demanding the personal identification number to the victim’s debit card and cellphone. It was later determined that someone involved with the incident used the debit card to deplete the victim’s bank account, according to police reports.

The victim told police the assault lasted about an hour and a half before a man and woman — later identified as co-defendants Marlene Hill and Ronald Mitchell — removed him from the residence and placed him in Hill’s vehicle. The victim said they then drove to his grandparents’ house to retrieve some of the stolen items before returning to 32 Laurel St., and Hill and Mitchell did the same with the other man. According to police reports, the two victims were allowed to leave the residence after approximately four hours.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

]]>