Published in the June 8, 2016 edition
PEABODY — A Peabody woman was arraigned May 31 in Peabody District Court on charges in connection with a disturbance that preceded a house fire at a home in Lynnfield on Friday evening, May 27.
Judge James D. Barretto ordered her held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Friday, June 3 and she was detained on a probation violation in a prior case. A plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf.
Christine Hebert, 49, is charged with assault and battery, threats, and malicious destruction of property following an argument with her boyfriend, stated Carrie Kimball Monahan, director of communications for the Essex District Attorney’s office.
Essex Assistant District Attorney Lynsey Legier told the court that Lynnfield Police responded to 844 Main St. at 9:49 p.m. on a report of an unwanted party. When they arrived they heard shouting, specifically the defendant threatening to kill the victim, and observed a physical struggle between the defendant and the victim. The victim also reported that the defendant had slashed his car tires, Kimball Monahan stated.
About five hours later, after the defendant was taken into custody, a house fire at 844 Main St. was reported to Lynnfield Fire Department just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 28. The Office of the State Fire Marshall has determined that the fire was intentionally set and is currently investigating it with Lynnfield Police and Fire. No one has been charged at this time, added Kimball Monahan.
The defendant is represented by Attorney Kenneth Shea and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
