For Immediate Release September 29, 2008                               
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325

Lowell Man Pleads Guilty To Assaulting Man Due To His Sexual Orientation
Two Other Defendants In Alleged Assault Scheduled For Trial Tomorrow

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office informed the public today that a Lowell man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a man due to his sexual orientation.

Jonathan Artis, age 20, of Lowell, pleaded guilty to charges of assault and battery for purpose of intimidation due to sexual orientation and civil rights violation. Superior Court Judge James Lemire sentenced Artis to two years probation with conditions that he attend a diversity awareness program and complete 50 hours of community service. The Commonwealth requested a sentence of one year in the House of Correction.

Jules Ruggs, age 20, and Jeffrey Buchannan, age 20, the other two defendants charged in connection with this incident, are both scheduled for trial beginning tomorrow morning in Lowell Superior Court. Both are charged with violation of constitutional rights with bodily injury, assault and battery for purpose of intimidation due to sexual orientation causing bodily injury, and assault and battery.

According to authorities, the victim was walking by himself to his home from a nightclub in downtown Lowell at approximately 3 a.m. on June 2. After he crossed the Bridge Street Bridge and proceeded to cross Lakeview Avenue, he heard someone from behind him yell an epithet regarding his sexual orientation.

The victim became nervous and quickened his pace towards the Centraville police precinct located a short distance away. When the victim was approximately 200 feet from the precinct, it is alleged that he was hit in the head from behind. The victim turned to see the three men who had yelled at him minutes before, and it is alleged that the three defendants began to repeatedly assault him. As they were assaulting him, they allegedly repeatedly yelled slurs at him and said “we don’t like your kind in our neighborhood.”

After the alleged assault, the victim walked the short distance to the precinct where he was met by a Lowell police officer. The officer observed a large laceration to the victim’s lip and it appeared to be hanging off. The victim also suffered strained muscles to his back.

The victim was able to provide police with a description of the attackers, and they were subsequently arrested and arraigned in Lowell District Court on June 4. Judge Neil Walker released the defendants on personal recognizance on the condition that they report to probation once per week and adhered to a 10 p.m. curfew.

The three men were indicted on June 29, 2007.

Artis pleaded guilty to his charges today. The charges against the remaining two defendants are allegations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Beth Dunigan. The victim witness advocate is Heather Conrad.

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