WESTFIELD – The Commonwealth would like to see the man accused of assaulting a city police officer serve time in jail for “shattering” the young officer’s life.
Assistant District Attorney Magali Montes told Westfield District Court Judge Philip Contant Friday that Victor J. Guzman of Westfield “ruined the life of a 32-year-old officer who has no guarantee that she will fully recover.”
Westfield Police Officer Megan Bartlett has been out of work since the assault that occurred during a traffic stop shortly before 3 a.m. on May 17.
Bartlett read from a lengthy prepared statement to the court describing her ordeal and the tremendous impact it is having on her and her family.
“I am a 32-year-old single mother and the sole provider of a 12-year-old daughter,” Bartlett said, “who was beyond proud” of her mother for becoming a police officer.
Guzman is accused of kicking Bartlett twice in the head, one blow blocked by Bartlett’s hand, which resulted in a dislocated finger.
Bartlett had a torn cornea and subsequently had a stroke from fluid building up in the back of her head and neck from the kick, and is diagnosed as having a traumatic brain injury.
When she suffered the stroke, Bartlett said, “I thought I was going to die. I could only think of my daughter.”
Bartlett said she panicked thinking, “Am I not going to see her before I die?”
Bartlett said she is still receiving physical and occupational therapy and is progressing, but that she has been kept “from a career I love so much.”
“I became a police officer because I love being there for people,” she said, “I am uncertain when or if I can return to work.”
“When asked what should happen to the man who did this to me, my mind goes blank when my future is still so uncertain,” said Bartlett, concluding her statement.
Initially, Guzman, 26, was released on $100 cash bail after being arraigned in May on charges of two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (his foot), disorderly conduct and failing to stop.
Guzman was stopped by Westfield Police Officers Bartlett and William Cavanaugh because he had allegedly been involved in a hit-and-run accident in West Springfield.
The defendant failed to stop for officers and then pulled into the apartment complex located at 134 Union Street where he resides.
Montes said that Guzman was yelling, “I am f—ing home! What do you want from me?”
“The defendant was extremely agitated and was yelling and screaming creating a disturbance (which) roused residents from their homes,” according to court documents.
Allegedly Guzman was intoxicated and “had to be tased,” Montes said.
He was handcuffed, and as police were attempting to place Guzman into the police cruiser, he kicked Cavanaugh in the stomach and kicked Bartlett twice.
On September 29, Guzman was arraigned on new charges of assault and battery with serious bodily injury, which had been filed via criminal complaint by the WPD, because of the extent of Bartlett’s injuries.
Montes asked Contant Friday that Guzman be sentenced to two years in the House of Correction with six months served direct and the balance suspended for two years.
Guzman’s attorney, Richard Facchini of Springfield, said he had wanted to resolve this case today, but asked Contant for extended – two to three years – probation because Guzman is married with two-year-old twins and has been gainly employed for more than five years.
Facchini also said this is Guzman’s first offense, but Montes said the defendant was charged with assault and battery as a juvenile, has a prior charge of disorderly conduct and was found guilty of driving under the influence in Virginia.
“This is a horrible situation,” Facchini said before the hearing but disagreed when Contant said he would rule with the Commonwealth due to the nature of the incident and the impact on the victim even though Guzman doesn’t have a substantial prior record.
Defense counsel said that his client “is taking responsibility for his actions and feels very, very sorry this officer went through this trouble,” but wants Guzman to be able to maintain his employment.
Facchini then submitted a motion to subpoena Bartlett’s medical records, which Contant and the Commonwealth agreed to do.
“We’re not trying to downplay her injuries,” Facchini said, but voiced concerns about wording in a police statement about whether Bartlett’s injuries are directly related to Guzman’s kick.
An attorney’s conference is scheduled for April 15.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
