HOPKINTON, Mass. — A local man faces serious charges following a violent altercation that escalated to attempted murder at Sandy Beach earlier this month, with recorded evidence revealing troubling actions during the dispute.
Steven Dana, 70, has been charged with attempted murder, two counts of strangulation or suffocation, and assault and battery against a disabled person. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at Framingham District Court. The case transitioned from an initial report of a beach altercation to felony charges after officers reviewed witness video that illustrated a troubling escalation from verbal conflict to physical violence.
Authorities responded to Sandy Beach on June 3 around 6:55 p.m. after reports of a confrontation between an older man and a group of young adults. Officer Noah Buentello found Dana in the parking lot, seemingly disheveled and with a torn shirt collar. Dana relayed to officers that he had confronted a group regarding the use of jet skis on Lake Maspenock, claiming he had punched one individual and was subsequently attacked.
Witness Benjamin Osmanovic, 20, informed police that Dana had assaulted Matthew Duffy, who was using crutches due to severe injuries from a previous motorcycle accident. The video provided to officers showed Dana striking Duffy twice before dragging him into the water. Friends of Duffy eventually intervened, pulling Dana away after he allegedly held Duffy underwater.
Police later learned that Duffy, who has faced significant medical challenges, had been declared medically dead and revived after his motorcycle crash, and now bears multiple fractures. The injuries sustained during the altercation were evident, with visible scratches and bruising discovered by investigators. During an interview, Duffy explained the struggle, detailing that he was unable to escape as his upper body was compromised by his existing injuries. He expressed relief that law enforcement acted swiftly.
The conflict reportedly stemmed from disputes over the lake’s usage, particularly surrounding access to the boat ramp, which is limited to Hopkinton residents during the summer months. Dana believed Duffy was not a resident and confronted him about this perceived infringement. Deputy Police Chief Scott van Raalten criticized the senseless nature of the violence, urging individuals to report concerns to the proper authorities rather than taking matters into their own hands.
As the case progressed, the video footage became a focal point during hearings. At a detention hearing, Assistant District Attorney Elyse Wyatt argued that Dana had instigated the confrontation, disregarding several cues to halt the aggression. Defense attorney David Grimaldi acknowledged the veracity of the video but emphasized provocations leading up to the fight and questioned the alleged drowning claims based on the water’s depth.
Although prosecutors sought higher bail, Judge Michael J. Callahan initially deemed Dana a low risk for danger to the community, setting bail at $7,500 and mandating conditions for his release, including no contact with Duffy or any witnesses and prohibiting his presence at Sandy Beach. Following the ruling, Duffy expressed frustration over Dana’s release, feeling that his safety was compromised.
The incident has drawn attention in the community as a reflection of underlying tensions regarding lake access and usage regulations. As the case moves forward, attention will likely focus on how prosecutors present the video evidence and witness testimonies against the defense’s narrative that contextualizes the confrontation. The next court date is scheduled for July 13.