New York man held without bond for raping, beating girlfriend

A New York man was ordered held without bond Monday June 2 for allegedly assaulting physically and sexually his girlfriend, a 32-year-old Gardner, MA woman with various weapons including knives, scissors, and a clothes iron.

Michael Molina, 24, was arraigned in Worcester Superior Court on charges of attempted murder, aggravated rape, rape, kidnapping, 15 counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, five counts of mayhem, two counts each of assault with intent to maim, assault and battery and reckless endangerment of a child, and threatening to commit a crime. He pleaded not guilty.

Gardner police found the bloody and badly beaten victim outside her apartment after they responded to a call about a domestic disturbance. The woman's two kids witnessed the event.

Judge John S. McCann held Mr. Molina without bail yesterday at the request of Assistant District Attorney Anthony J. Marotta. The prosecutor said during a dangerousness hearing that the victim was being choked with an electrical cord and had a trash bag over her head when Police Officer John Czasnowski knocked on her door March 25.

Mr. Marotta said the woman was later hospitalized for injuries consistent with those that would have been inflicted by the weapons allegedly used by Mr. Molina. After reading Officer Czasnowski’s police report in the case, Judge McCann found that no conditions of Mr. Molina’s release would ensure the safety of the Gardner woman or the public at large.

Molina has been held since a March 28 dangerousness hearing and his April 24 indictment, which moved the case to Worcester Superior Court. His next court date is June 27.