Taunton Man Convicted of 2014 Stabbing; Sentenced to Six Year Prison Term

District Attorney Tom Quinn announced today that 52-year-old Max Charles was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon by a jury after a two day trial in Fall River Superior Court. Mr. Charles was sentenced today by Judge Robert Kane to serve six to six-and-a-half years in state prison for the January 20, 2014 stabbing of a 47-year-old man at 9 Taunton Green in Taunton.

During the trial, the victim testified that Mr. Charles stabbed him because he owed the defendant money. The defendant had called the victim to his apartment at 9 Taunton Green. Once the victim arrived on the landing to Mr. Charles’ apartment, Mr. Charles set upon him. The victim was struck in the head with a knife and then pinned up against a wall. The defendant proceeded to put the knife up to the victim’s chest and leaned on it, resulting in a slow deliberate penetration of the knife.

The victim was able to flee the area and was found by police on School Street, suffering from a stab wound to the chest and cuts to his head. Mr. Charles was arrested by Taunton Police on the same day as the stabbing incident. Taunton Police Officers Jeffrey Danner and Mark Brady investigated the case and made the arrest.

The two day trial concluded yesterday, at which point the jury deliberated for about three hours before returning its verdict. Mr. Charles was held in jail overnight and was sentenced earlier today in Fall River Superior Court.

The trial was prosecuted by Co-First Assistant District Attorney Karen O’Sullivan and Assistant District Attorney Aaron Strojny. Prosecutors had argued for an eight to 10 year prison sentence, while Mr. Charles defense attorney recommended a three to five year prison sentence after conviction.
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