Judge Frees Steven Dana on $7,500 Bail After 70-Year-Old Beats Dangerousness Bid
Updated
Updated · Hopkinton Independent · Jun 6
Judge Frees Steven Dana on $7,500 Bail After 70-Year-Old Beats Dangerousness Bid
3 articles · Updated · Hopkinton Independent · Jun 6
Summary
$7,500 bail was set for Steven Dana after a Framingham District Court judge ruled prosecutors failed to prove the 70-year-old was a danger to the community in his attempted murder case.
Video and witness evidence showed Dana confronting a group at Sandy Beach, slapping 21-year-old Matthew Duffy and struggling with him in the water, which prosecutors said showed he sought out and escalated the fight.
Defense lawyer David Grimaldi argued the clash followed jet-ski disputes and a "series of provocations," challenged claims Dana lied to police, and stressed his lack of criminal history, family support and work record.
Judge Michael Callahan said the footage was concerning but weighed it against Dana's clean record and community ties, ordering no contact with Duffy or witnesses, no firearms and no return to Sandy Beach.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for July 13 as Dana continues to fight charges including attempted murder, strangulation and assault tied to the Lake Maspenock altercation.