2 men arraigned after lawyer says ex-state trooper assaulted outside Dedham courthouse

DEDHAM, Mass. — Two men were arraigned Wednesday on charges in connection with “violent physical assaults” in front of Dedham District Court on Monday morning, after the attorney for an ex-state trooper says he was attacked while leaving the court following his sentencing related to a teen drowning case.

Denzell Rowell, 32, and Roshawn Drane, 38, both of Dedham, were arrested two days after the attorney for former Massachusetts State Police Capt. James Coughlin said his client was attacked outside of the Dedham courthouse after Coughlin and his wife were sentenced on charges after the 2021 drowning death of 17-year-old Alonzo Polk during a high school graduation party at their home.

Police on Wednesday did not confirm whether the two arrests were related to the Coughlins’ case.

Rowell and Drane were each charged with one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit shod foot. Rowell was also charged with three counts of threatening to commit a crime, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey’s Office. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Bail was set at $2,500 cash for both Rowell and Drane, with a GPS exclusion zone of the town of Dedham with the exception of traveling on Interstate 95 or Route 1, the district attorney’s office said. The judge ordered both men to have no contact with the victims or witnesses.

Rowell was already on personal recognizance release out of West Roxbury court on a different matter, and his bail was revoked on that case and he was taken into custody.

Coughlin was assaulted in the middle of the street in Dedham once he stepped out of court after his sentencing, Attorney Brian Kelly, who is representing the former state police captain and his wife, said Monday.

“It was basically an unprovoked assault on the streets of Dedham, right in front of the courthouse,” Kelly said Monday. “Two individuals snuck up from behind him, punched him in the head. A third individual came in, punched him, started kicking him.”

On Wednesday, Dedham Police said in a statement that they have “been continuously investigating the violent physical assaults which took place in front of the Dedham District Court on Monday morning.”

Police said their investigation “led to the identification of two individuals.”

“Probable cause was established to charge both individuals. Dedham Detectives applied for and were granted arrest warrants through the Dedham District Court,” police said. “Earlier today, the subjects of these warrants were taken into custody. Dedham Police anticipate both parties will be arraigned at Dedham District Court this afternoon.”

Police said an investigation “remains active and ongoing” and that additional charges may be sought going forward.

Rowell and Drane are both due back in court on Oct. 6 for a pre-trial hearing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group