East Boston man accused of attacking friend with machete

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A 60-year-old East Boston man is accused of attacking a friend with a machete after the friend threw a traffic cone through his window.

Joseph Cahill was arraigned Friday on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Investigators allege Cahill and a 48-year-old man who was staying with him got into a fight during which Cahill sustained a laceration to his thumb. Cahill was treated at Mass. General Hospital for his injury and was later released.

After Cahill returned home from the hospital, his friend reportedly threw an orange traffic cone through his front window. Investigators allege Cahill armed himself with a machete, exited his home, and engaged in a violent confrontation with his friend.

The friend, a 48-year-old from Mattapan, stumbled toward a witness at the corner of Harve and Porter streets just after 4 a.m. Friday and asked the witness to call 911.

When police arrived to the scene, they asked the man who stabbed him. He replied, "Crazy Joe."

The man was transported to Mass. General Hospital with lacerations to his head and chest. He is listed in stable condition.

Investigators followed a trail of blood leading from Porter Street to Cahill's Paris Street home where they claim to have found a front window broken out, a pool of blood, a blood covered rag, and another home in the area with a smashed window. Cahill reportedly told police an unknown person broke his window and he cut himself cleaning up the glass.

The 60-year-old, who police say has a criminal record that includes drug and assault offenses, will appear in court again on Sept. 10.

Cox Media Group