A 38-year-old man, charged in last year’s “random and unprovoked” stabbing of two at a downtown Haverhill restaurant, is going to prison for at least seven and a half years after pleading guilty Tuesday.
Brian Scrooc of Haverhill, pleaded guilty to armed assault with intent to murder on a person over age 60 and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over age 60 before Judge Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman in Essex County Superior Court. She sentenced him to not less than seven and one-half years and not more than 10 years in prison on the first charge, followed by three years of probation on the other two charges.
The incident took place April 26, last year, at Mark’s Deli, in Railroad Square. Seven residents were later honored by Mayor Melinda E. Barrett for actions they took to wrestle Scrooc to the ground and protect other patrons. They included victims Joseph Arsenault and Peter Carbone; diner owner Stavros Dimakis; Steve Comei; Kevin Waddington, who chased Scrooc down Washington Street; and wait staff Annie Bajor and Debbie Pritchard.
Dimakis, reflecting on what could have been an even more tragic day, told WHAV Tuesday that he visited Arsenault at the hospital and was moved by the man’s immediate comment that “I’m glad it was me and not Peter Carbone, who is caring for his wheelchair-bound wife. I’m an 85-year-old man. How much time do I have left?”
Dimakis noted Arsenault hasn’t missed a day at the restaurant since leaving the hospital. “Joe is like clockwork. They don’t make men like that. He’s just the nicest guy. I’m lucky to have customers and friends like that.”
The restaurant owner also thanked Haverhill firefighters who happened to be driving by after a training. Dimakis said he ran up to them, got their attention and they provided emergency first aid.
Assistant Essex County District Attorney Michael Sheehan told the court that Scrooc entered the restaurant brandishing a knife and immediately began stabbing a man, later identified as Arsenault, who was having breakfast with his friend Carbone. Prior to the incident, Sheehan said, Scrooc told his mother he was “going to stab someone today.” Scrooc’s mother called and reported the comment to the Haverhill Police Department, who arrived and arrested Scrooc. Arsenault was taken to the hospital and, now in stable condition, he attended the hearing.
During questioning by McCarthy-Neyman, Scrooc said admitted to the stabbings and discussed a history of mental health issues, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. The judge added Scrooc may not have contact with the victims, undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations and complete an anger management program. Rocky Yaniv served as victim/witness advocate on the case. Scrooc was represented by attorney Kenneth Allison.