Judge orders mental health evaluation for Boston man charged with attempting to throw his wife into Fort Point Channel

BOSTON, March 17, 2023 - A judge yesterday ordered a Boston man with a history of crimes in Illinois, California and Arkansas to undergo a mental health evaluation after the man was arrested on Wednesday for attempting to throw his wheelchair-bound wife into the Fort Point Channel, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

JONATHAN PINNEY, 38, was charged Thursday in South Boston BMC with assault and battery on a family or household member and assault and battery on a disabled person.  Judge Paul Treseler sent Pinney to Bridgewater State Hospital for a 20-day clinical evaluation. Pinney will return to court April 4.

At about 2:57 p.m. on Wednesday Boston police responded to the area of Summer and Melcher streets for a 911 call regarding an assault in progress.  Officers spoke with a witness who said he saw Pinney lift the victim from her wheelchair and attempt to throw her over the railing and into the Fort Point Channel below.  The victim, who officers noted was shaking and attempting to catch her breath, confirmed the witness’s account.

Officers soon stopped a man matching the description provided by the victim and witness near the intersection of Summer and High streets.  They confirmed Pinney’s identity and placed him under arrest.  While being booked, Pinney told officers he believed his wife was an “imposter” and was attempting to “dump her” into the channel.

The victim was transported to Tufts Medical Center for treatment. 

“Considering the air and water temperatures Wednesday, along with the victim’s disability, we would likely be looking at a far more tragic scenario had this man been successful in his stated intent,” Hayden said. 

The victims of any crime, including domestic or sexual violence, should call 911 in an emergency.  SafeLink, a statewide DV hotline, can be reached at 877-785-2020.  SafeLink is answered by trained advocates 24/7 in English, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as TTY at 877-521-2601.  It also has the capacity to provide multilingual translation in more than 140 languages.

Help is also available for members of our LGBTQ+ community experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence through The Network/La Red by calling 617-742-4911 or 800-832-1901. 

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

 James Borghesani, Chief of Communications