Courthouse escape attempt in Malden nets defendant more charges

By Jillian Jorgensen, Globe Correspondent

A man who did not want to go to jail fled Malden District Court, seriously injuring a court officer before he was captured just outside the building, State Police said.

George M. McNelley, 49, of Everett was in the courthouse facing a slew of charges from Everett Police, including assault and battery, larceny of less than $250 and receiving stolen property less than $250, Everett Police Lt. John Balfe said.

Around 1:25 p.m., McNelley stood up and said he was not going to go back to jail, said Lieutenant Eric Anderson, a State Police spokesman.

McNelley, who was handcuffed, ran toward a partially-open window, Anderson said. When a court officer got in his way, McNelley took the officer with him through the screen and out the window, which was only a few feet above the ground.

Trooper Robert Noonan, who was inside the courtroom for an unrelated matter, ran outside and found McNelley beating the court officer’s head with his handcuffs, Anderson said. Court officers and sheriff’s deputies also came outside to help as Noonan secured McNelley.

The court officer was taken to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital with serious injuries, Anderson said.

McNelley is being held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department in Cambridge, and will be back in Malden District Court Monday to be arraigned on charges that include escape from a penal institution or court, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery against a public employee, Anderson said.

• Comment
• Permalink
• Email