Hopkinton Man Arraigned on Charge of Assaulting a Disabled Person

A Hopkinton man has been arraigned on a charge of assaulting a disabled person and causing serious bodily injury, according to a press release from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

“These are disturbing allegations that the defendant assaulted someone he knew was permanently disabled,” Ryan said. “We allege that the defendant, in a fit of anger, forcefully pushed the victim to the ground causing him serious injuries.”

Terrence Vogel, 28, of Hopkinton, was arraigned Monday in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn on a charge of assault and battery on a disabled person causing serious bodily injury. He was released on personal recognizance with the condition that he have no contact with and stay away from the victim. 

The defendant’s next court date is October 3 for a pre-trial hearing. 

According to authorities, on November 17, 2012, at approximately 10:10 p.m., they were called to the Woodville Rod and Gun Club in Hopkinton where they found a victim suffering from numerous injuries. During an investigation, authorities allegedly learned the defendant and the victim, longtime friends, were at a neighborhood party at the club when they went outside to talk about some difficulties they were having in their friendship. During that conversation, the defendant allegedly became angry and pushed the victim, forcefully, to the ground causing him to strike his head on the pavement. 

The victim had previously suffered a spinal cord injury and was permanently disabled, according to the district attorney's office, which impacted his mobility. As a result of being pushed to the pavement, the victim was knocked unconscious and suffered a temporal bone fracture, bilateral and frontal contusions, a small subdural hematoma, an occipital scalp laceration, a right hemotympanum and resulting hearing loss, according to the press release.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, according to the press release.