NORTHAMPTON — The Springfield man accused of stabbing a police officer in the neck at a Dunkin’ Donuts in South Hadley during March pleaded not guilty to assault and attempted murder charges Tuesday in Hampshire Superior Court.
Jeffrey Torres, 30, who was shot by South Hadley Police Officer Christopher Roberts the night of March 18 after he allegedly stabbed the officer, faces charges of armed assault and attempted murder. The chaotic scene unfolded at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Newton Street.
The case was moved Tuesday from district court to superior court because of the seriousness of the charges.
The night of the incident, Roberts entered the shop around 6 p.m. and approached Torres, who was reported to have threatened the life of a Dunkin’ Donuts employee, who is also the mother of his children, police said.
“Within seconds” Torres began flailing the knife in his hand as he inched toward the officer, according to court records.
Roberts fired three shots, hitting Torres twice, police said.
Three days later, March 21, after he was treated for the gunshot wounds, Torres was arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown, where he pleaded not guilty to the same charges he still faces and ordered to Bridgewater State Hospital for evaluation.
Court records show a mental health expert noted in a report that Torres “experienced acute symptoms of mental illness around the time of the alleged offenses … his symptoms caused him to lack substantial capacity to appreciate criminality of his behavior.”
Torres remains at Bridgewater without the right to bail.
Torres’ attorney Alfred Chamberland, of Easthampton, affirmed in court Tuesday that he would pursue a “lack of criminal responsibility” defense.
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.