DRACUT – Dracut Chief of Police Peter Bartlett and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan confirmed that Jeremy Stephenson, 36 of Plaistow, New Hampshire and James Stephenson, 39 of Salem, New Hampshire were arraigned this week in Middlesex Superior Court in connection with allegedly assaulting a man in a parking lot in front of Palace Pizza near 7-11 in Dracut.
On September 27, 2019, Jeremy and James Stephenson pulled into the parking lot of the 7-11 located in Dracut when they encountered the victim, a 22 year old Dracut man, who was also in the parking lot and had just exited the 7-11. The victim was walking across the parking spot at the time Jeremy was pulling in. Jeremy parked the car and upon getting out immediately began to verbally accost the victim and ultimately physically assault him. Both Jeremy and his brother, James, punched the victim as he moved down the sidewalk in the direction of 7-11. During the altercation witnesses reported that the defendants were allegedly yelling racial slurs at the victim. During the attack James allegedly pushed the victim through a plate glass window, shattering it. After going through the window, the victim fell to the ground and continued to be attacked by the brothers. Once on the ground, the victim grabbed a shard of broken glass and stabbed Jeremy, in self-defense causing Jeremy to flee. James allegedly became enraged and remained engaged in the physical altercation tackling the victim continuing to strike him, call him racial slurs and make threats including allegedly stating, “you should go back to Africa”. In addition, when called before the grand jury Jeremy allegedly perjured himself regarding three separate facts material to the investigation.
“This community will not tolerate the hate and violence exhibited during this attack,” said Chief Bartlett. “I’m extremely proud of the hard work done by Dracut Officers, Detectives and The District Attorney’s Office for their relentless pursuit of justice in this case.”
Both Jeremy and James Stephenson were indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on November 13, 2019. Jeremy Stephenson has been charged with violation of constitutional rights with bodily injury, assault and battery to intimidate with bodily injury and three counts of perjury. James Stephenson has been charged with violation of constitutional rights with bodily injury, assault and battery to intimidate with bodily injury, and wanton destruction of property.
Both defendants were released on personal recognizance with the condition that they stay away from and have no contact with the victim and witnesses. The next scheduled court date is December 19, 2019 in Lowell Superior Court. This case was investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Dracut Police. The prosecutor assigned to this case is Daniel Harren. The victim witness advocate is Dora Quiroz.