Lynn home health aide accused of strangling case worker sentenced to 15 months Originally Published on Friday, May 27, 2011 By Karen A. Kapsourakis / For The Item
SALEM - A Lynn home health care worker who admitted assaulting and trying to strangle her pregnant 30-year-old case worker at the Department of Children and Family Services in Lynn last year will serve 15 months in jail before being placed on probation for another three years, but also is expected to be deported back to Tanzania.
Halua Msomi, 34, last known address of 36 Surfside Road, #8, Lynn, made her plea Thursday afternoon in Salem Superior Court, confessing to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon upon a pregnant person as well as assault and battery before Judge Howard J. Whitehead.
She was sentenced to a split term of two and one-half years in jail, with all but 15 months suspended, and placed on three years of probation at which time she will be evaluated for mental health treatment and counseling. She was also ordered to stay away from and have no contact with her accuser.
But, because Msomi is not a United States citizen, she is expected to be deported back to her native country, Tanzania, in Africa.
Assistant District Attorney Kristen R. Buxton asked for a state prison term of three to five years with probation, rather than a jail sentence, saying it was appropriate based on the assault.
The charges arise out of an incident on the afternoon of March 3, 2010 when Msomi attacked her 30-year-old case worker, Clara Lopez, at the Department of Children and Family Services, located at 20 Wheeler St., in Lynn.
Lopez told authorities that Msomi was upset with her regarding an earlier court date in Lowell involving visitation rights with her 7-year-old daughter, who was then in foster care.
On the day of the attack, Msomi became agitated with Lopez at the Lynn office, grabbed Lopez, who was then eight-months pregnant, by her neck scarf, causing her to fall to the ground. Msomi then began twisting the scarf around the case worker's neck. Fellow employees interceded, pulling her off of Lopez.
Lopez was grasping for breath and was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released. Her neck was swollen, according to reports.
Lopez felt that Msomi should get the maximum punishment, 20-years in state prison, for the attack on her.
Defense lawyer Kirk W. Bransfield urged the court to sentence her to time already served, 449-days, and probation pointing out to Whitehead that his client has a minor record and that the victim did not sustain any major physical injuries
Source: The Daily Item: Lynn home health aide accused of strangling case worker sentenced to 15 months
SALEM - A Lynn home health care worker who admitted assaulting and trying to strangle her pregnant 30-year-old case worker at the Department of Children and Family Services in Lynn last year will serve 15 months in jail before being placed on probation for another three years, but also is expected to be deported back to Tanzania.
Halua Msomi, 34, last known address of 36 Surfside Road, #8, Lynn, made her plea Thursday afternoon in Salem Superior Court, confessing to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon upon a pregnant person as well as assault and battery before Judge Howard J. Whitehead.
She was sentenced to a split term of two and one-half years in jail, with all but 15 months suspended, and placed on three years of probation at which time she will be evaluated for mental health treatment and counseling. She was also ordered to stay away from and have no contact with her accuser.
But, because Msomi is not a United States citizen, she is expected to be deported back to her native country, Tanzania, in Africa.
Assistant District Attorney Kristen R. Buxton asked for a state prison term of three to five years with probation, rather than a jail sentence, saying it was appropriate based on the assault.
The charges arise out of an incident on the afternoon of March 3, 2010 when Msomi attacked her 30-year-old case worker, Clara Lopez, at the Department of Children and Family Services, located at 20 Wheeler St., in Lynn.
Lopez told authorities that Msomi was upset with her regarding an earlier court date in Lowell involving visitation rights with her 7-year-old daughter, who was then in foster care.
On the day of the attack, Msomi became agitated with Lopez at the Lynn office, grabbed Lopez, who was then eight-months pregnant, by her neck scarf, causing her to fall to the ground. Msomi then began twisting the scarf around the case worker's neck. Fellow employees interceded, pulling her off of Lopez.
Lopez was grasping for breath and was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released. Her neck was swollen, according to reports.
Lopez felt that Msomi should get the maximum punishment, 20-years in state prison, for the attack on her.
Defense lawyer Kirk W. Bransfield urged the court to sentence her to time already served, 449-days, and probation pointing out to Whitehead that his client has a minor record and that the victim did not sustain any major physical injuries
Source: The Daily Item: Lynn home health aide accused of strangling case worker sentenced to 15 months
