Man charged with trying to lift wife out of wheelchair and toss her into Fort Point Channel

A judge yesterday ordered 20 days of evaluation for a Boston man arrested after, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office charges, he tried to throw his wife into Fort Point Channel from the South Boston side of the Summer Street Bridge Wednesday.

Jonathan Pinney, 38, told arresting officers - who found him across the bridge at Summer and High streets downtown - that he tried to dump his wife into the frigid water because she was "an imposter," the DA's office reports.

According to the DA's office, BPD officers responded to Summer and Melcher streets shortly before 3 p.m. on a 911 call about an assault in progress:

Officers spoke with a witness who said he saw Pinney lift the victim from her wheelchair and attempt to throw her over the railing and into the Fort Point Channel below. The victim, who officers noted was shaking and attempting to catch her breath, confirmed the witness’s account.

Pinney was arraigned Thursday in South Boston Municipal Court on charges of assault and battery on a family member and assault and battery on a disabled person the DA's office reports. He is due back in court on April 4, following his state at Bridgewater.

In a statement, DA Kevin Hayden said:

Considering the air and water temperatures Wednesday, along with the victim’s disability, we would likely be looking at a far more tragic scenario had this man been successful in his stated intent.

Innocent, etc.