Driver Accused Of Dragging Boston Police Officers Claims Mistaken Identity
DORCHESTER (CBS) — The attorney for a driver accused of dragging two Boston police officers with his car claims police arrested the wrong man.
Vincent Weaks, 34, of Roxbury, pleaded not guilty Friday at his arraignment in Dorchester Municipal Court on four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Police say Weaks was in the driver's seat when they approached a car on Stoughton Street in Dorchester early Wednesday morning while investigating a report of a person with a gun in the area.
When they ordered him to get out, police say, Weaks sped off, dragging two plainclothes officers about 20 feet. Two uniformed officers were hit by the front of the car and knocked to the ground.
All four were treated at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The most serious injury was a fractured elbow.
Weaks was found about ten hours later and arrested.
In court Friday, defense attorney Paul Tomasetti said Weaks was home with his girlfriend at the time of the incident.
"It's simply a situation where it's a mistaken identity," Tomasetti told the court.
Bail was set at $75,000. Prosecutors had requested $100,000.
But Weaks, who was already on probation in three unrelated cases, was then held without bail for allegedly violating his probation.
He has been arrested three different times in the past 11 years on a variety of drug, weapon and assault charges. He has eight defaults on his record, according to prosecutors.
But his mother told reporters outside court Friday that Weaks was turning his life around.
"He was doing good," she said.
Weaks is due back in court December 19.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
