Woburn Woman Held Without Bail Following Alleged Subway Assault

BOSTON -- A Woburn woman will be held in jail for 60 days on a bail revocation stemming from an incident on the Orange Line following Boston's Pride Parade on June 9. Denise Knox, 36, of Woburn, was arraigned Monday in Charlestown Municipal Court on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, threats to commit a crime, and a civil rights violation. Judge Lawrence McCormick set her bail at $5000; ordered her to stay away from the victim, witnesses, and MBTA; and revoked her bail on a pending assault and battery case out of Woburn District Court.

According to court documents, Knox confronted a woman carrying a multi-colored rainbow flag. After Knox allegedly used homophobic slurs and referenced the parade, another passenger intervened and suggested she leave the train. Knox then allegedly threatened that passenger with a folding knife.

MBTA Transit Police responded to the Community College station and found Knox, but were unable to locate the victim. The victim contacted police later that night. After an investigation that included witness and victim interviews and a review of surveillance footage, police obtained an arrest warrant.

"No matter who you are, you have the right to live and work and travel free from threats and intimidation," Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a statement. "Anyone confronted with disgraceful conduct like this can feel safe, supported, and respected coming forward to report it. Our primary concern will always be for the victim’s safety and wellbeing."

Knox is due back in court on July 18.

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Patch file photo.

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