NORTHAMPTON — A judge on Friday ordered that a Florence man police say broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment Wednesday morning and tried to strangle her to death will continue to be held pending trial proceedings.
Robert Hendrick Jr., 25 — who pleaded not guilty earlier this week to charges of attempted murder, two counts of strangulation, assault and battery in violation of an abuse prevention order, witness intimidation, armed burglary and assault and battery on a person older than 60 — was back in court Friday for a dangerousness hearing before Judge Jacklyn Connly.
Hendrick, who is due back in court March 10, is represented by attorney Alan Rubin of the Committee for Public Counsel Services.
Authorities arrested Hendrick after he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s Florence residence, entered her bedroom and attempted to strangle her to death after she rejected his advances. Hendrick is also accused of shoving the woman to the ground and preventing her from calling for help before he fled.
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.