Double Stabbing Suspect Held on High Bail

BOSTON, June 1, 2018—The man who allegedly stabbed two people downtown early this morning was held on high bail and will face a hearing to determine whether he violated his probation on two unrelated cases, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JAY LEFFEL, 23, of East Boston was arraigned on two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and one count of assault and battery for allegedly stabbing two men, both 21, and punching a third during a confrontation in the area of Commercial Street at about 2:30 this morning. One of the stabbing victims remained in a medically-induced coma as of this afternoon.

Boston Municipal Court Judge Thomas Horgan denied prosecutors’ request for a dangerousness hearing under Chapter 276, Sect. 58A, of the Massachusetts General Laws but set bail at $250,000 and ordered him held without bail pending probation surrender hearings in East Boston Municipal Court. Leffel is on probation following convictions for receiving stolen property in 2015 and larceny and assault with a dangerous weapon in 2016.

Assistant District Attorney Christina Juitt told the court that eyewitnesses and video evidence suggest that Leffel, who had numerous and distinctive tattoos, struck one victim and then stabbed the others during a physical altercation. Boston Police apprehended Leffel near Downtown Crossing a short time later.

Leffel will return to court on June 7.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.