Defense lawyer Colin Keefe told the court that he intends to request an evaluation to determine if Assab was responsible for his actions on the day of the incident.
NORTHAMPTON – A man charged with robbing a Main Street bank at knifepoint pleaded innocent to armed robbery and other charges Tuesday in Hampshire Superior Court.
Jamal Assab, 37, of Florence Road also faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and larceny under $250 in connection with an April 13 incident at TD Bank next to Thornes Marketplace.
According to police, Assab walked into the bank, drew a knife on one of the tellers and demanded cash. After she handed him an undisclosed amount of money, he fled onto Main Street, police said. A Northampton police officer who arrived on the scene reported seeing Assab trying to stuff something into a coat pocket.
After spotting a large knife sticking out of Assab’s coat, the officer tackled him and arrested Assab with assistance from other officers. Assab had a large wad of cash and a box containing five knives, police said. A subsequent investigation revealed that Assab had shoplifted the knives from Acme Surplus in the basement of Thornes prior to entering the bank, according to police.
Assab’s arraignment was delayed until an Arabic interpreter could arrive at the courthouse. A native of Morocco, Assab worked at Amanouz Cafe, a Middle Eastern restaurant on Main Street. Two of his co-workers at the restaurant attended his arraignment.
Defense lawyer Colin Keefe told Judge C. Jeffrey Kinder that he intends to request an evaluation to determine if Assab was responsible for his actions on the day of the incident. According to Keefe, surveillance videos will show that Assab was extremely intoxicated. Prosecutor Jeremy Bucci promised to turn over all the evidence he has in the matter within the next few weeks.
At Bucci’s request, Kinder kept bail at $25,000, the amount set at Assab’s arraignment in Northampton District Court in April. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15.