NORTHAMPTON — An Easthampton man who pleaded not guilty to charges he assaulted and threatened to kill a woman was ordered held without bail Monday following a dangerousness hearing.
Devon J. Dias, 24, of 69 Pomeroy St., pleaded not guilty Friday in Northampton District Court to charges of assault and battery on a family or household member, strangulation, destruction of property, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of threatening murder.
The woman told Easthampton police Nov. 2 that Dias, slapped her several times Oct. 31 following a series of arguments in recent days, according to a police report. The next day, the two argued at some point, resulting in Dias throwing a boot at her face, police said.
The woman then told police she phoned a friend to come pick her up, but that Dias took her cell phone and smashed it on the ground, according to the report. He then compelled the woman to reach out to the same friend via Facebook and cancel the ride or he would kill her. Dias then allegedly slapped the woman four times, causing her to fall to the floor, police said. When she attempted to leave, the man picked her up and threw her across the room, according to the report.
At that point, authorities said Dias pulled her out from underneath a desk, where she was hiding, and picked her up by the throat. The woman told police that she could feel herself starting to pass out, according to the report.
Dias then, again, threatened to kill the woman, police said.
The woman left the home at about 11 p.m., police said, but only after Dias had fallen asleep after taking a sleeping pill. When the woman made her report to police last month, officers made note of several bruises on her body, police said. Dias is scheduled to return to court Dec. 19.
Staff writer Emily Cutts contributed reporting. Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.