Man Tried To Throw Disabled Wife Into Boston Channel Because He Thought She Was 'Imposter': DA

A Suffolk County judge on Friday, March 17, ordered a man accused of trying to throw his wife into a Boston waterway because he thought she was an "imposter" to undergo a mental health evaluation, authorities said.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, March 17, after Boston police said he tried to throw his wheelchair-bound wife into the Fort Point Channel near Summer and Melcher streets because he thought she was an imposter.
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Josh Lanier

03/17/2023 3:08 p.m.

Jonathan Pinney, 38, of Boston, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with assault and battery on a family or household member and assault and battery on a disabled person, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said.

Several police called 911 just before 3 p.m. after they reportedly saw Pinney lift his wife from her wheelchair and try to throw her over the railing at the Fort Point Channel before he ran away, the prosecutor said. Officers spoke with the terrified woman, who confirmed the reports. They took her to Tufts Medical Center for treatment.

Police arrested Pinney near the intersection of Summer and High streets soon after. While being booked, Pinney told them that he believed his wife was an "imposter," and he wanted to "dump her" into the channel, authorities said.

Pinney, who has a criminal history in Illinois, California, and Arkansas, will undergo a 20-day mental health evaluation before returning to court on April 4, the prosecutor said.

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