Teens Released on $500 Bail, Attorney says Victim Stabbed His Client

An attorney for one of the teenagers charged in a Milford home invasion this week said Friday his client suffered a stabbing at the hands of the victim — enough to require 40 stitches in his arm.

"He's the one who got stabbed," said Dan Doyle, an attorney appointed to represent Darren Jones, 19.

This account has been disputed by police.

Jones, of 36 E. Main St., Milford, is charged with home invasion, malicious destruction of property, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and two additional counts of assault and battery.

A co-defendant, Michael Pleasant, 17, of 50 Green St., Milford, is charged with home invasion, assault and battery and malicious destruction of property.

According to police statements filed in court, Pleasant punched the victim in his living room and Jones put him in a headlock, then stabbed him once in the back with a 6-inch knife.

The assault took place in front of the victim's mother, who was pushed out of the way, and two younger children, ages 8 and 10, according to police.

The dispute began over damaged headphones. The victim told police he had broken Pleasant's headphones, valued at $40, and Pleasant wanted the money from him to replace them.

In a phone interview, Milford Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin said the victim did not stab the suspect, or suspects, and will not be charged. The wounds described by the suspect's attorney were not consistent with defensive wounds, in which someone would be defending themselves from an attack. Instead, he said, they most likely occurred when the teens crashed into and broke a plate glass window during the assault.

Both Jones and Pleasant were released Friday following arraignment in Milford District Court on $500 cash bail each. They were ordered to stay away from the victim, his family and his home. The state's Assistant District Attorney, Bob Shea, had sought $7,500 cash bail for Jones and $5,000 cash bail for Pleasant.

District Judge Robert Calagione agreed instead with the $500 cash bail sought by defense attorneys appointed to represent Jones and Pleasant.

In his argument Friday for the $500 bail, Doyle said Jones is employed full-time at Hannaford's Supermarket, has no criminal record and went to the apartment on Lincoln Street at the invitation of the victim.

The victim, according to Doyle, is the one who started arguing, and he went into his kitchen to get a knife, and then stabbed Jones. The attorney told Calagione his client had "more than 40 stitches in his arm."

Pleasant, 17, was represented for the arraignment hearing by Sean Cannon, who also argued for the $500 bail amount. He cited his client's age and a minor juvenile record that had been satisfied with community service.

Pleasant has not been charged in the stabbing. He is charged only with home invasion, assault and destruction of property.

"His involvement was less than that of his co-defendant," Cannon said.

Both Pleasant and Jones are next scheduled to appear in court on June 10.