NORTHAMPTON — A city man has denied assault charges stemming from a Sunday incident in which he was pepper-sprayed by police who were called to a Milton Street home for a disturbance.
Police were called to the home around 10:50 p.m. for a report of Henry D. Birchfield kicking and attempting to enter the home through the front door, according to court records.
Birchfield, 38, resisted police efforts to check him for weapons and refused officers orders, court records state. Family members told police that Birchfield had failed to take his medication for a mental health disorder, according to court records.
Birchfield pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Northampton District Court to charges of assault and battery, assault, disorderly conduct, wanton destruction of property less than $250 and malicious destruction of property less than $250.
Court records state that an officer was thrown into a glass storm door and glass storm window, both of which shattered, as he attempted to place handcuffs on Birchfield, according to court records. The officer was uninjured but Birchfield may have cut his arm on the broken glass.
Police used pepper spray to briefly subdue Birchfield, placed him in handcuffs and attempted to escort him to the police cruiser. Both in the cruiser and at the station, he was combative with officers, according to court documents.
Birchfield used to live at the house, but was not living there at the time of the incident, records state.
In court, Birchfield was released on numerous conditions, including he stay away from the home’s residents. He is being represented by attorney Torran M. Bagamary.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.