Man Beat Woman Unconscious, But Told Police She OD'd: Prosecutors

LOWELL, MA — A Lowell man told police an unresponsive woman he was with suffered an overdose when in fact he spent the day beating her unconscious, and then he assaulted an officer, prosecutors said. Christopher Martini, 45, was arranged Friday in Lowell District Court and held without bail, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office.

Police arrived to South Walker Street around 7:50 p.m. Thursday for a report of a domestic assault. They found a woman in her 30s unresponsive.

Martini allegedly told police the woman was suffering from an overdose, and responders administered an overdose reversal drug. Prosecutors said Martini attempted to keep responders from administering the drug before assaulting an officer.

The female victim was transported to the hospital with "significant trauma," Ryan's office said. She remains hospitalized in serious condition.

Investigators determined the victim's condition was due to blunt force trauma and Martini had beat her throughout the day.

Martini was charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery on a household or family member, assault and battery on a police officer, interfering with a firefighter, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a public employee, disorderly conduct and interfering with a police officer in connection with an alleged domestic assault.