Jul 1, 2008 4:56 pm US/Eastern
Marzilli Indicted For Allegedly Assaulting 4 Women
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
State Sen. James Marzilli has been indicted for allegedly accosting four women in Lowell last month, according to Middlesex D.A. Gerry Leone.
Marzilli, 50, or Arlington, is charged with annoying and accosting a person of the opposite sex, attempting to commit a crime (indecent assault and battery), disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
"These are troubling allegations in which Sen. Marzilli is alleged to have engaged in a string of highly inappropriate and sexually explicit acts against four separate women," District Attorney Leone said.
The D.A.'s office said an arraignment date for Marzilli has not been set, but it should happen the week of July 7.
According to the D.A.'s office, all four incidents happened within a few hours on June 3. The first incident happened at 11 a.m. The victim said Marzilli approached her outside the Lowell Community Health Center and spoke to her inappropriately.
A half hour later, officials said Marzilli came up behind a woman walking toward Jackson Street in Lowell and said, "Oh, baby, you are so beautiful, your body is perfect…"
As the woman tried to walk away, the D.A.'s office said Marzilli continued to follow her and harass her. The victim then turned around and yelled, "Listen, take $20, go up to Merrimack Street after 5 p.m. and get yourself a hooker."
Shortly after 1 p.m., Marzilli allegedly approached a woman waiting for a bus on Central Street and asked her if she was wearing any underwear. According to the victim, Marzilli drove by her three times before allegedly harassing her.
The fourth incident took place around 3 p.m. According to the D.A.'s office, the victim was sitting on a bench when she said Marzilli approached her and said, "Since I saw you, I've liked you. You are a beautiful woman."
According to the victim, Marzilli allegedly tried to grab at her. The woman ran into a building, but the senator allegedly would not leave.
Co-workers of the victim called police to the scene. When officers, arrived, Marzilli allegedly gave a fake name and home address before trying to run away. According to the D.A.'s office, police were able to catch up with Marzilli in a nearby parking garage.
Marzilli checked himself into McLean Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Belmont, only days after his arrest on June 3. He has also decided to not seek re-election this fall. He said his State House staff "will continue to respond to the needs of constituents within the district" until the end of his term.
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