By Jill Casey, The Daily Item of Lynn (Massachussets)
LYNN, Mass. -- A reported member of the Hell’s Angels was arraigned Friday in Lynn District Court for allegedly attacking an off-duty Lynn police officer in a local bar Wednesday night.
A bevy of off-duty officers in full-uniform showed their solidarity for one of their own by showing up to the arraignment of James Costin, 40, who faces charges in the beating of Lt. Vernon Coleman at Buchanan Café Wednesday night.
Police said Coleman was at the bar, on the corner of Western and Eastern avenues, with friends and relatives, sitting in a chair and eating a sandwich at about 10 p.m., when he was punched by Costin without notice.
Coleman was knocked out of his chair, kicked on the barroom floor, and then punched again as he attempted to get up, police said.
When police arrived, a member of Lynn Fire Rescue was attending to Coleman’s wounds. Coleman was taken to Union Hospital, where he received stitches and was treated for a torn lip and mouth.
Coleman told police he was “sucker punched” by a member of the Hell’s Angels inside the bar, and the suspect left before police arrived.
“He was there, he was eating a sandwich, and he was attacked. There was no triggered incident prior to that,” said Capt. Joseph Rowe. “It would be an understatement to say that the Lynn Police Department has not taken notice that one our own was attacked without provocation, and that the call for assistance did not come from someone inside the bar but from another outside location.”
Rowe said the report has been sent to the Lynn Licensing Board, and he noted that neither the bar’s manager, nor owner, called to report the fight inside the establishment.
At the arraignment on Friday, a Lynn District Court judge ordered Costin held without bail at the Essex County House of Correction in Middleton until a dangerousness hearing is held Nov. 30.
Following interviews with the victim and witnesses who were inside the bar when the incident occurred, a warrant was issued for Costin’s arrest, Rowe said.
Costin, of 48 Saratoga St., Lynn, was arrested shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday after police found him hiding inside 29 Gate St. He was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), aggravated assault and battery and mayhem.
Two suspects are still wanted by Lynn police for their involvement, Rowe said.
“All appropriate steps were taken by Lynn police and will be continued to be taken until the other two parties are arrested,” he said.
Rowe said Coleman is out of work for an unknown amount of time due to the injuries he suffered during the assault.