Danvers Officer Takes Stand to Recount Bloody Scuffle

Danvers police officer John Melto took the witness stand on Thursday, recalling the details of the incident that almost led to his death in August 2011 allegedly at the hands of convicted sex offender Roy Limbaugh.

Limbaugh's trial got underway in Salem Superior Court last week. He is facing several charges, including armed assault with intent to murder, and is representing himself.

Limbaugh is accused of attacking Melto with some sort of sharp object outside his residence on Popes Lane and inflicting serious injuries on the Danvers officer.

A surgeon who operated on Melto testified that multiple cuts to his throat just missed his carotid artery, internal jugular vein and trachea, which likely would have been fatal injuries, reports the Salem News. His hand and wrist were also slashed several times.

Melto was out of work for 99 days and underwent two operations. He never saw the weapon used against him and neither did police find one at the scene, reports the Salem News.

You can read more of Melto's testimony here in the Salem News.