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‘He was crazy’: Fall River suspect charged after allegedly stabbing ex-mayor in the neck
Fall River police said Corree Gonzales appeared “mentally deranged” as officers attempted to question him about the violent attack.
The man charged with stabbing former Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan will undergo further psychiatric evaluation after authorities said he appeared “mentally deranged” as officers attempted to question him about the violent attack.
Corree Gonzales, 31, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. He was also previously charged with assaulting four Fall River police officers following his arrest Tuesday.
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Judge Heath Antonio ordered Gonzales to undergo an additional mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital to determine whether he’s competent to stand trial. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
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Caught on neighbors’ home security footage, Monday’s shocking attack on Hartwell Street left Flanagan with a punctured trachea, according to a statement of facts filed in court. Police said a dark-clothed man with bushy hair and a beard could be seen on surveillance video sprinting up to Flanagan before “savagely” striking the former mayor in the neck with an object.
Flanagan fell to the sidewalk after multiple blows, and the suspect ran away, according to the court filing. Police said Flanagan was able to call 911 for help and allegedly described his attacker as a “Hispanic male wearing all black” before he was rushed to a local hospital.
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Staff at St. Luke’s Hospital intubated Flanagan to protect his airway, rendering him unable to speak with a detective who responded to the hospital. Flanagan was moved to the intensive care unit in “critical/stable” condition and provided authorities some information via handwritten notes, according to the statement of facts.
“He was crazy,” Flanagan allegedly wrote. “Spanish guy fought him off.”
On additional sheets of paper he added, “Tall Crazy hair” and “Suspect said ‘I was mayor, he lied man.’” Authorities have not offered a possible motive for the incident, nor have they said how Flanagan and Gonzales were connected, if at all.
Flanagan, who served as the city’s mayor between 2010 and 2014, is now the CEO of Cosmopolitan Dispensary on Hartwell Street.
According to the statement of facts, a Fall River officer suspected Gonzales might be the man in the surveillance footage due to recent booking photos and video evidence. Gonzales’s mother and sister were later subpoenaed and identified him in video and photos, police said.
Police spotted Gonzales on the street shortly before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, though he allegedly became combative when officers approached and arrested him. Back at the police station, he allegedly began to “wildly flail” his body and spat in officers’ faces as they attempted to seize his clothing for evidence.
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Gonzales told officers he was homeless and did not have access to a phone, per the statement of facts.
Online court records show a laundry list of prior criminal cases dating back to 2013, with charges ranging from assault with a dangerous weapon to trespassing and larceny, among other offenses. Gonzales was also arraigned Wednesday in Bristol Superior Court on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon after he was indicted for allegedly assaulting his mother with a knife.
Gonzales’s next court date in connection with Flanagan’s stabbing is Nov. 10.
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