Suffolk County prosecutors today convinced a Roxbury District Court judge that a hate crime suspect was so dangerous as to warrant being held without bail pending trial, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

WILLIAM BRAXTON (D.O.B. 3/22/60), who claims residence at the St. Francis House shelter in Chinatown, was arraigned Jan. 14 on multiple assault- and civil rights-related offenses but held pending today’s hearing under the state’s so-called “dangerousness statute.” Braxton is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, attempted robbery, violating a person’s civil rights, and disorderly conduct for allegedly kicking and beating two women while screaming homophobic slurs at them.

Under Ch. 276, Sect. 58A, of the Massachusetts General Laws, a judge may hold a defendant accused of certain violent crimes without bail for up to 90 days pending trial upon “clear and convincing evidence that no conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of any other person or the community.”

At today’s hearing, Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Corke introduced the testimony of a State trooper who witnessed the attack at about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 13. While in his cruiser in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Washington Street, the trooper saw Braxton punch a 46-year-old Roxbury woman in the face, then kick her when she fell to the ground. The trooper also testified that he saw Braxton beat and kick a second woman, a 48-year-old Roxbury resident, who had been walking with the first victim.

The trooper immediately turned his cruiser around and raced to assist the victims. He ordered Braxton to the ground and took him into custody. Boston Police also responded to the scene.

The victims told the trooper that they had been holding hands as they walked down the street and that Braxton began screaming homophobic epithets at them. He also allegedly tried to grab a small sum of cash from one woman’s hand. It was at about that time that he began punching and kicking them, prompting the trooper’s response.

Neither of the women had ever seen Braxton before, they said. Neither woman required hospitalization.

Based on that testimony, Roxbury District Court Shannon Frison ordered Braxton held without bail pending trial.

“The dangerousness statute is most commonly used in cases of domestic violence,” Conley said, “but a person who commits such a savage, unprovoked attack on two people minding their own business clearly presents a danger to the community. Violent crime, and especially violent crime propelled by bigotry, has no place on our streets.”

Braxton was represented by attorney Anthony Fugate. He will return to court on Feb. 11.