For Immediate Release September 30, 2008                               
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia  781-897-8325

Lowell Men Plead Guilty To Assaulting Man Due To His Sexual Orientation

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

Jules Ruggs, age 20, of Lowell, and Jeffrey Buchanan, also 20 of Lowell, pleaded guilty today to charges of assault and battery for purpose of intimidation due to sexual orientation and civil rights violation.  Superior Court Judge James Lemire sentenced Ruggs and Buchanan to two years probation with the following conditions: obey a curfew from seven a.m. to seven p.m for the first three months, report daily to probation, complete a diversity awareness program or anger management course, stay away from the victim, and perform 50 hours of community service.  The Commonwealth requested a sentence of one year in the House of Correction for both defendants.

Yesterday, a third man in the case, Jonathan Artis, 20 of Lowell, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced by Judge Lemire to two years probation with conditions. The Commonwealth requested a sentence of one year in the House of Correction.

“The victim in this case suffered a horrible ordeal, as he was violently attacked by these defendants who were clearly motivated by their intolerance of his sexual orientation,” District Attorney Leone said. “We will absolutely not tolerate those who act based on hatred and set upon others because of who they are.”

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

After the 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.

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

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