HAVERHILL — Scott Rogers' relatives and lawyer said he pulled a knife to defend himself against six people who chased him to his car and attacked him.
But police said the struggle was between Rogers and just one man, and that the fight turned vicious when Rogers used a knife to stab the man seven times in the back of the head.
Rogers, 24, of 3 Maple Ave., was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail during his arraignment yesterday in Haverhill District Court on charges of assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. Police arrested him Friday night at 6 Highland Ave. They had been looking for him since the Aug. 1 stabbing.
Yesterday, prosecutor John DePaulo called the fight that occurred "nasty," after Rogers was asked to leave a party on Varnum Street around 2 a.m. on Aug. 1. Rogers then began challenging people at the party to fight, DePaulo said.
DePaulo said witnesses told police that Rogers lived up the street from where the party was taking place, and that he had gone to the party because the music there was too loud. DePaulo said Rogers began challenging people at the party to fight, and then was asked to leave. Rogers then walked down the street, followed by the eventual stabbing victim, and got into a car that was reported stolen in Dorchester and had the wrong license plates on it, DePaulo said. It was an Acura, he said.
"The suspect (Rogers) and the victim exchanged words. He (Rogers) got out of the car and a fight ensued," DePaulo said.
According to a police report, Rogers pulled out a knife and stabbed the 21-year-old man seven times in the back left side of his head as they fought. The man also suffered four lacerations to his back and chest.
Police said Rogers then fled after being chased by other partygoers. Police said they recovered a small, silver knife from behind 51 Ayer St.
Rogers was identified by several witnesses and the victim, whom police interviewed at the station. Police then issued a warrant for Rogers' arrest.
"This is insidious," DePaulo told Judge Patricia Dowling. "This is a horrific event."
Rogers' attorney, Kara DiFruscia, called it a case of self-defense. She said Rogers left the party and was chased to his car, where he was then "attacked and physically beaten on" and had to defend himself against six people.
Police said the victim is recovering, but no other information on him was available from them.
According to a police report, a woman who identified herself as Scott Rogers' sister, filed a stolen vehicle report on the night before the early morning stabbing. During a police interview, she said she had bought the 1991 Acura for Rogers, even though he does not have a driver's license and would probably be unable to register the car because of his "record," according to the report.
She also told police that Rogers often took her license plates and attached them to the Acura so he could drive around town. Police said they found blood splattered on the Acura, which was abandoned at the scene of the fight. They said the car's steering column was heavily damaged, as were the windshield and rear window.
After yesterday's arraignment, a woman who identified herself as Kristie Hernandez, 36, another sister of Scott Rogers, told The Eagle-Tribune that her brother knew people at the party and that he'd been in the fight only after being dragged out of his car by some of the six people who chased him to the car. She said the only thing her brother had to defend himself was a small screwdriver he used to start the car because the ignition was missing.
"That was his only defense," Hernandez said. "It's not fair to hold him. He has one child he's providing support for."
Rogers must appear Nov. 9 for a probable cause hearing.
