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Lowell Man Guilty Of Holding Woman Captive And Assaulting Her

Posted on: January 30, 2015 - 11:34am

WOBURN- Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that a Lowell man was convicted today in connection with holding a woman captive on his property and assaulting her.

Matthew Fitzpatrick, 26, of Lowell, was found guilty by a Middlesex Superior Court jury in Lowell on charges of kidnapping, assault and battery, and violation of a restraining order. The trial began on January 20. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Heidi Brieger scheduled sentencing for Fitzpatrick for February 5.

“For almost two days, this victim lived in terror,” District Attorney Ryan said. “Matthew Fitzpatrick led her to a shed in his backyard. They argued, he beat the victim, tied her up, and would not let her leave. His violent behavior caused serious injuries to the victim but fortunately she was able to escape and call police. This case demonstrates how abuse in a relationship can escalate. I encourage individuals who are being physically, sexually, or psychologically abused to seek help from the many wonderful organizations we have in our county which offer support to domestic violence victims. Leaving relationships is not easy but leaving can save a person’s life.”

Evidence presented during the trial showed that on October 12, 2012, Fitzpatrick sent the victim a social media message asking to meet with her. She met the defendant in Lowell and the two went to 6 Harvard Street where he escorted her into a storage shed. Evidence showed that Fitzpatrick beat the victim and tied her up. She was held captive in the shed for approximately 15 hours before she managed to escape.

The prosecutors assigned to this case are Assistant District Attorneys Katherine Hartigan and Rachel Perlman. The Victim Witness Advocate is Amanda Zacchilli.

Victims of domestic violence in Middlesex County may find resources for assistance on the website of Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan: http://middlesexda.com/faq/resources.php . Resources include contact information for hospitals and other organizations which provide medical, emotional, and legal assistance.