For Immediate Release July 1, 2008
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325
Marzilli Indicted For Allegedly Accosting Four Female Victims In Lowell
LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that State Senator Joseph James Marzilli, of Arlington, has been indicted for allegedly accosting four women in Lowell on June 3.
Marzilli, 50, was indicted today by a Middlesex Grand Jury for crimes allegedly committed against four female victims. The charges stemming from his encounters with those women include:
Victim 1: Annoying and accosting a person of the opposite sex
Victim 2: Annoying and accosting a person of the opposite sex
Victim 3: Annoying and accosting a person of the opposite sex
Victim 4: Attempt to commit a crime (indecent assault and battery), disorderly conduct, resisting
arrest, annoying and accosting a person of the opposite sex
An arraignment date for these superior court charges has not yet been set, but is expected to be scheduled during the week of July 7.
“These are troubling allegations in which Senator Marzilli is alleged to have engaged in a string of highly inappropriate and sexually explicit acts against four separate women,” District Attorney Leone said.
According to authorities, at approximately 11 a.m., the first female victim was waiting outside the Lowell Community Health Center. It is alleged that Marzilli approached the victim and said “The sex is sweet, the sex is sweet, you want it, and you want to go with me.” The victim became fearful and walked into the health center to get away from him.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., the second victim was walking toward Jackson Street. It is alleged that Marzilli came up directly behind her and said “Oh, baby, you are so beautiful, your body is perfect, your butt is so perfect.” The woman tried to walk away from Marzilli, but he continued to follow her and continued to verbally harass her. Fearful, the victim turned around, raised her voice and yelled, “Listen, take $20, go up to Merrimack Street after 5 p.m. and get yourself a hooker.”
At approximately 1:15 p.m., the third victim was waiting for a bus on Central Street. She observed Marzilli drive by her three times in a white vehicle while staring at her. Marzilli then parked his motor vehicle and walked towards the victim. He then looked her up and down and asked her “Do you have any under garments under that?”
At approximately 3 p.m., the fourth victim was waiting on a bench outside 16 Middle Street. Marzilli walked towards her and she thought he looked familiar. She believed she saw him approximately a week earlier in the same area of the city, although he had appeared disheveled at that time.
Marzilli approached her and sat very close to her on the bench. He said “Since I saw you, I’ve liked you. You are a very beautiful woman.” He then moved his hand and attempted to grab her in a sexual manner. She leaned away and screamed at him to stop. He then continued to verbally accost her by making an additional sexually explicit remark. The victim moved away and went inside the building.
Marzilli waited outside the building. The victim told him that he could not come into the building. Two male workers who the victim told about the encounter went outside and reported the attempted assault to a police officer. The officer approached Marzilli and asked him his name. Marzilli informed the officer that he had left his identification in the car and gave a false name, date of birth, and false Medford address.
When back-up arrived, Marzilli was asked to wait by another officer’s cruiser. Marzilli then ran away from the officers, running first down the sidewalk and then in the middle of the street through moving traffic. Marzilli then ran into a parking garage where he was apprehended by officers.
These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Assistant District Attorney assigned to this case is Elizabeth Dunigan. The case was investigated by Lowell Police.
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