A Randolph man has been arraigned on charges alleging that he physically assaulted a female victim and discharged a stolen firearm after breaking into her Somerville apartment, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

James Cooper, 61, of Randolph, was arraigned today in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn on charges of armed burglary, armed assault to murder, armed assault in a dwelling, assault with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, possession of ammunition without a FID card, carrying a firearm with ammunition, carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, receiving stolen property over $250, and assault and battery.  Middlesex Superior Court First Assistant Clerk Magistrate Matthew Day ordered the defendant held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, which is scheduled for April 9 at 2 pm.

According to authorities, the victim and the defendant had been friends for several years.  Although the defendant wanted to be in a relationship with the victim, she had made it clear to him on numerous occasions that the feelings were not mutual.  On January 15, 2012, at approximately 6 pm, the victim returned home from work.  At around 6:30 pm, the defendant allegedly began banging on the victim’s door.  The victim did not open the door, and asked the defendant to leave.  It is at this time that authorities allege that the defendant forced the victim’s locked door open and threw the victim to the ground, sat on her abdomen, and pinned her arms to the ground.  When the victim began to scream, the defendant allegedly covered her mouth and nose with his hands, cutting off her oxygen supply.

After some time, authorities allege that the defendant got up off of the victim and informed her that he had brought a pitchfork and a backpack containing a spool of rope, a revolver, and ammunition.  The defendant allegedly threatened to rape and kill the victim.  It is alleged that he also took the firearm out of his backpack and loaded it and unloaded it several times.  As the defendant allegedly spoke to the victim about killing her and killing himself, he allegedly waved the firearm in her direction, putting her in fear that he may kill her at any time.

It is further alleged that the defendant pulled the trigger aimed away from the victim, striking the wall behind him.  The defendant is alleged to have continued to wave the gun around the room and discharged it again, striking himself in his foot.  The victim was able to call 911 and Somerville Police responded.  Upon arrival, authorities located the victim inside the apartment looking very distraught.  They also located the defendant inside evidencing an injury to his foot.  A subsequent search of the defendant’s backpack revealed the firearm and ammunition were present.

A further investigation revealed the defendant allegedly did not have either an FID or License To Carry card and that the firearm was stolen.
The defendant was arraigned in Somerville District Court on January 17 where he was ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing.  On January 24 the defendant was ordered to undergo evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.  He was indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury on February 9.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Kate Kleimola.  The victim witness advocate is Rani Scott.  This case was investigated by the Somerville Police Department.