BANGOR, Maine — The local man accused of blinding a pregnant woman in a vicious attack on Aug. 18 was indicted Wednesday by the Penobscot County grand jury on one count each of elevated aggravated assault on a pregnant person and aggravated assault.
Joshua Cole, 34, of Bangor, remains at the Penobscot County Jail, unable to post $100,000 cash bail.
Cole is scheduled to appear at the Penobscot Judicial Center on Oct. 14. He is expected to enter not-guilty pleas to the charges.
A psychiatric evaluation was ordered for Cole, who has a history of mental health issues. The exam has been completed but the results have not been provided to defense attorney Hunter Tzovarras of Bangor, the lawyer said Wednesday in an email.
The 41-year-old pregnant woman told police that Cole was her boyfriend and that she had been living with him for about a month. He was not the father of her expected child, however, according to a previously published report.
Police were called to 210 Essex St. about 2:15 a.m. Aug. 18 by a neighbor who told police Cole was strangling the woman. The neighbor and her boyfriend tried to intervene, but were injured in the process and had to retreat inside their apartment, which is across the hall from Cole’s.
Police found the woman “laying in the hallway on her left side with extensive trauma to her face,” including severe eye injuries, Officer Kim Donnell wrote in her report, which was filed in court as part of the probable cause affidavit.
The victim lost her sight as a result of the attack, according to a previously published report. She is due to give birth in late November or early December.
If convicted, Cole faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 on the Class A crime. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 on the Class B crime — the alleged attack on the neighbor who tried to intervene.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
BDN writer Nok-Noi Ricker contributed to this report.