Court Upholds Woburn Man's Conviction In Burlington Stalking Case

WOBURN, MA -- A Massachusetts appeals court ruled in favor of prosecutors Thursday on the appeal of a Woburn man who wanted his convictions on assault and battery and stalking overturned. Peter Chonga had his request for a new trial turned down by a lower court judge in 2015.

Chonga and his wife moved to Woburn after they were married, but their relationship began to deteriorate when Chonga became controlling and physically abusive, according to court records. His wife moved to Burlington in September 2010; Chonga soon found out where she lived and began showing up at her apartment. He also, according to trial testimony, began contacting her friends and accused them of sleeping with her. On April 1, 2011, the victim testified, Chonga entered her apartment, pointed a knife at her throat and threatened to kill her and himself.

Chonga was indicted in 2012. In his appeal, Chnga argued that because his actions were "motivated by jealousy and anger," they did not fall under the state's definition of stalking. He also argued his actions could not be considered threats because there was no evidence of a "fearful or apprehensive response" from his victim.

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).