RI Man Accused Of Salem Sledgehammer Attack Held For Observation

SALEM, MA -- A man who tried to break a glass partition in the Salem Police Station with a sledgehammer Monday told a court psychologist he has been hospitalized before for mental illness and recently reduced the amount of medication he was taking to treat psychiatric problems. Salem District Court Judge Emily Karstetter sent James Burge, 51, of Foster, RI, to Bridgewater State Hospital for a 20-day psychiatric evaluation and ordered him held until a dangerousness hearing.

After Salem Police denied his request for a woman's address Monday, Burge returned to the station with a sledgehammer, which he swung against a glass partition while threatening to "do some harm," according to court records. More than a dozen police officers eventually disarmed and subdued Burge, who was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

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