ROCKLAND, Maine — A Rockland man, who police say threatened a woman with a knife and a chainsaw on Halloween night, lost his bid to have his bail reduced on Wednesday.
The attorney for 37-year-old Arthur Woodman argued that his client also needed to be released from jail because the battery in his pacemaker was nearing the end of its life.
Judge Patricia Worth rejected the request by attorney Jeremy Pratt to have Woodman’s bail reduced from $10,000 cash to $1,500 cash.
Pratt said his client has lived in Maine almost all his life and was employed at the time of his arrest. He said Woodman’s employer has told him his job will be available when he is released from jail.
The attorney said the Knox County Jail has not been the most accommodating for Woodman’s medical appointments. He said that his client has been accepted for monitoring by Maine Pretrial Services and that Woodman would agree to a curfew and other conditions set by the court that would allow him to work and go to counseling sessions.
But Assistant District Attorney Christopher Fernald argued against the change in bail. He said he would not object to a release so that Woodman could go to the hospital to have the pacemaker battery replaced if he provides medical records and a note from a physician confirming the claims.
The prosecutor said public safety is a concern. Fernald told the judge he was concerned that if Woodman was released it could result in a murder/suicide.
Worth agreed that the allegations outlined in the police affidavit accompanying the charges against Woodman are very serious. But she added that if the medical necessity for going to a hospital was proved, a judge would likely agree to a 48-hour release.
Woodman is charged with domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence reckless conduct with a weapon, domestic violence attempted aggravated assault, domestic violence assault, criminal mischief and obstructing the report of a crime.
The woman reported to police that an argument began in the car they were in and that he was screaming at her and grabbed and twisted her wrist, according to an affidavit filed in court by Rockland police.
Later at a Rockland residence, the woman told police that the argument started up again and that he took a knife and threw it at her. The knife missed her and stuck in a wall behind her. Woodman then started throwing bullets at her, saying he hoped they would explode, according to the affidavit. He then got a chainsaw and threatened her with it and cut up a table, she reported.
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.