NEWBURYPORT — A Revere man accused of viciously stabbing an East Boston man Sunday at Todd Farm flea market in Rowley is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing Friday at Newburyport District Court.
Daniel J. Pedicini Jr., 27, of 12 Janvrin Ave., Revere, was charged with assault to murder, intimidating a witness and disorderly conduct. He is accused of stabbing an East Boston man in the back, resulting in a 6-inch-long, 4-inch-deep gash in his shoulder.
The 44-year-old victim was transported to Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport where he underwent successful surgery to close the wound with about 20 staples. He was released later on Sunday, after which he went to the Rowley Police Department to speak with authorities.
Rowley police Chief Robert Barker said the two men knew each other and had been prospective business partners. Their meeting at the popular weekly flea market was pure coincidence, with Barker calling it “a chance encounter.”
Barker said the victim told police he had filed criminal charges against Pedicini in April in Dedham District Court and had been harassed by the suspect ever since.
The site of the stabbing — the landmark Todd Farm off Route 1A (Main Street) — is a popular destination for bargain hunters, who arrive by the thousands every Sunday morning from early April to late November.More than 200 dealers from Canada, New York and New England do business at the farm, selling items such as antique furniture, clocks, jewelry, recordings, tools, fishing rods, golf accessories, honey products, cedar fencing, plants, vintage toys and musical instruments.
According to the report of Rowley police officer Matthew Ziev, Pedicini allegedly swindled the victim out of $10,000 worth of toys in early 2011 after the two parties had decided to go into business together. The victim went to the Dedham Police Department and filed a criminal complaint against Pedicini, which eventually led to charges being brought.
Following his visit to Dedham police, the victim said he received several texts from Pedicini, some of them calling the victim a rat and a snitch. He also referred to the victim’s 7-year-old daughter in a threatening manner.
The alleged attack took place around 7:45 a.m., moments after the victim and his girlfriend parked their car at the flea market. Pedicini, who was with his father, Daniel Pedicini Sr., saw the victim and yelled “stitches for snitches,” moments before charging him, according to Ziev’s report. Pedicini tackled the victim and stabbed him once in the back before the victim punched him in the head, the report said.
As Pedicini walked away with his father toward Route 1A, the victim noticed he had been stabbed. The victim’s shirt and pants became drenched in blood, but he remained conscious and alert. Police arrived and began speaking with the suspect, who told authorities he had been in an altercation. But several people shouted that Pedicini had stabbed another man. Police handcuffed Pedicini and placed him in a police cruiser, according to Ziev’s report.
Ziev questioned Pedicini’s father, who claimed the victim had attacked him first and that his son was merely defending him. When asked to elaborate, Pedicini’s father declined to answer. A search of the father’s car resulted in the seizure of two knives. A state police K9 unit was called to search nearby woods for possible weapons, but nothing was found.
Following his arrest, Pedecini’s father posted $50,000 bail to secure the release of his son, who, according to police, has a history of violent crimes.
Pedicini appeared jittery as he and his father arrived at court around 11:15 a.m. yesterday. Moments before his court appearance in front of Judge Peter Doyle, a court bailiff handcuffed Pedicini and directed him to a holding area where suspects stand before a judge.
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