(June 1, 2017) A man accused of threatening his family with a kitchen knife before barricading himself in his Ocean Pines home had his trial in District Court delayed until July 18 over the protests of his attorney, Marc Zeve.
State’s Attorney Heather Clarke opened the proceeding by requesting a later start, citing her difficulty in contacting Alberto Dacanay’s daughter and son-in-law, the primary victims in the April 2 incident.
The relatives live out of state and hadn’t returned phone calls, Clarke said.
Zeve said he normally wouldn’t oppose a motion for postponement, especially on a first request, but said he’d spoken with the relatives and they’d showed no interest in testifying.
“I’ve spoken with the daughter and son-in-law and they’re adamant about not returning,” Zeve said.
Judge Patrick Cavanaugh granted the postponement, despite the objection.
Dacanay is charged with first- and second-degree assault.
On April 2, Ocean Pines police reported responding to Dacanay’s home for a complaint of domestic assault just after noon. The complainant, Dacanay’s daughter, told police she had a fight with her father.
Upon arrival, police said the woman ran towards responding officers, crying and stating that Dacanay had chased her, her mother, her husband and her 3-year-old son out of the house with a knife.
While speaking with the family, officers reportedly watched as the exterior garage door opened. Police said the woman then frantically announced that her father was walking out of the garage and was still holding the knife. OPPD Chief David Massey reported the suspect standing within the garage holding a large, fixed-bladed knife in his right hand.
Upon spotting the officers, police said Dacanay placed the knife behind his lower back and went back into the home and barricaded himself inside. Dacanay secured the exterior doors within the residence with several items of furniture, preventing anyone from entering.
Police said Dacanay then opened a window on the second story of the residence and began speaking with the officers. He refused to exit the residence and insisted his family leave the premises.
Fearing that Dacanay would present a threat to himself, officers reportedly made numerous attempts to have him exit the residence. Police later reported making a safe entry into the residence and Dacanay was taken into custody without incident.
State’s Attorney Heather Clarke opened the proceeding by requesting a later start, citing her difficulty in contacting Alberto Dacanay’s daughter and son-in-law, the primary victims in the April 2 incident.
The relatives live out of state and hadn’t returned phone calls, Clarke said.
Zeve said he normally wouldn’t oppose a motion for postponement, especially on a first request, but said he’d spoken with the relatives and they’d showed no interest in testifying.
“I’ve spoken with the daughter and son-in-law and they’re adamant about not returning,” Zeve said.
Judge Patrick Cavanaugh granted the postponement, despite the objection.
Dacanay is charged with first- and second-degree assault.
On April 2, Ocean Pines police reported responding to Dacanay’s home for a complaint of domestic assault just after noon. The complainant, Dacanay’s daughter, told police she had a fight with her father.
Upon arrival, police said the woman ran towards responding officers, crying and stating that Dacanay had chased her, her mother, her husband and her 3-year-old son out of the house with a knife.
While speaking with the family, officers reportedly watched as the exterior garage door opened. Police said the woman then frantically announced that her father was walking out of the garage and was still holding the knife. OPPD Chief David Massey reported the suspect standing within the garage holding a large, fixed-bladed knife in his right hand.
Upon spotting the officers, police said Dacanay placed the knife behind his lower back and went back into the home and barricaded himself inside. Dacanay secured the exterior doors within the residence with several items of furniture, preventing anyone from entering.
Police said Dacanay then opened a window on the second story of the residence and began speaking with the officers. He refused to exit the residence and insisted his family leave the premises.
Fearing that Dacanay would present a threat to himself, officers reportedly made numerous attempts to have him exit the residence. Police later reported making a safe entry into the residence and Dacanay was taken into custody without incident.