A 29-year-old Bristol woman faces a felony assault charge after allegedly stabbing her live-in boyfriend in the leg in July.
Abigail J. Thomas, 29, also faces a misdemeanor charge of false public report after she allegedly cut her own hand and told police the boyfriend stabbed her.
Thomas reported a domestic violence assault at the couple’s home in the Pemaquid Villas mobile home park July 23.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Jared Mitkus responded. Thomas had “a cut wound to her hand,” Mitkus said in a probable cause statement.
Thomas told Mitkus her longtime boyfriend, Aaron D. Curtin, 40, had “choked” her and attempted to stab her, resulting in the defensive wound to her hand, Mitkus said. She told Mitkus he then fled.
Deputies eventually located Curtin hiding in a closet, LCSO Lt. Michael Murphy said.
“Aaron claimed he did not cause the cut on Abigail’s finger and that she did it,” Detective Sgt. Ronald Rollins said in a probable cause statement. “Aaron also stated Abigail stabbed him and showed an injury to his leg.”
Curtin, however, was arrested and charged with class B aggravated assault, a felony; and class D domestic violence assault and refusing to submit to arrest, both misdemeanors.
Curtin allegedly resisted arrest. “He wouldn’t display his hands,” LCSO Lt. Michael Murphy said. The deputies wrestled with him and eventually had to “dry stun” him with a Taser.
A dry stun means the Taser does not fire a projectile, Murphy said. Instead, the deputy removes the cartridge and uses the gun to deliver a “pinpoint” shock.
Two days later, Thomas contacted the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and allegedly confessed to Curtin’s version of events.
“Abigail admitted she cut her own hand because she was mad at Aaron,” Rollins said in his statement. “Abigail further admitted to causing the injury to Aaron’s leg.”
“I was able to locate a knife in the trash with a broken tip,” Rollins said. “It matched the shape of the injury to Aaron’s leg.”
Neither Curtin nor Thomas were seriously hurt. “They were both minor injuries,” Murphy said.
Rollins arrested Thomas Aug. 1. Curtin, who was out on bail, was allegedly at the residence when Rollins arrived, so he arrested Curtin for violation of condition of release.
A Lincoln County grand jury indicted Thomas on charges of class B aggravated assault and class D false public report Sept. 9.
Thomas is free on $500 cash bail. She must abide by the conditions of a bail contract, which prohibits contact with the victim and the possession or use of alcohol or dangerous weapons, including firearms.
She also has to follow a 9 p.m. curfew and submit to random searches and tests.
Thomas has asked the court to remove the prohibition on contact with Curtin.
The incident was a result of alcohol use, and since her arrest, she has entered an inpatient rehabilitation program, Thomas said in a motion to amend bail.
Thomas is due to appear for arraignment in Lincoln County Superior Court in Wiscasset at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 25.
Thomas declined comment.
Curtin, meanwhile, no longer faces assault charges. The grand jury did, however, indict him on a class C charge of violation of condition of release, a felony; and the class D refusing to submit to arrest charge.
Curtin is out on unsecured bail.
His bail conditions ban him from the mobile home park, prohibit contact with Thomas and another individual, prohibit the possession or use of alcohol or dangerous weapons, including firearms; and require him to submit to random searches and tests.
Curtin’s arraignment will take place at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 30.
“We anticipate Mr. Curtin will enter a not guilty plea next week,” said David Paris, Curtin’s attorney.
A class B crime carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, a class C crime a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, and a class D crime a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine, respectively.
