Jury Finds Limbaugh Guilty on All Counts

Roy Limbaugh, a convicted Level 3 sex offender, was found guilty of the attempted murder of Danvers police officer John Melto and will spend at least 24 years behind bars.

A jury found Roy Limbaugh guilty on all seven charges against him in Salem Superior Court today and the 59-year-old Danvers man was then sentenced to at least 24 years in prison for nearly killing Danvers police officer John Melto in a bloody scuffle two years ago. Limbaugh received 19-20 years on a charge of armed assault with intent to murder and 14-15 years on other assault charges, said Danvers Police Sgt. and spokesman Robert Bettencourt, who attended today's deliberations. Bettencourt said those two sentences were imposed concurrently and Limbaugh will then have to serve 5-6 years for failure to properly register as a sex offender with local police. Once his time is served out, Limbaugh would be on lifetime parole. The trial began …

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Danvers Officer Takes Stand to Recount Bloody Scuffle

Surgeon says wounds inflicted on officer barely missed vital arteries and veins, which could have quickly led to his death.

Danvers police officer John Melto took the witness stand on Thursday, recalling the details of the incident that almost led to his death in August 2011 allegedly at the hands of convicted sex offender Roy Limbaugh. Limbaugh's trial got underway in Salem Superior Court last week. He is facing several charges, including armed assault with intent to murder, and is representing himself. Limbaugh is accused of attacking Melto with some sort of sharp object outside his residence on Popes Lane and inflicting serious injuries on the Danvers officer. A surgeon who operated on Melto testified that multiple cuts to his throat just missed his carotid artery, internal jugular vein and trachea, which likely would have been fatal injuries, reports the …

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Limbaugh Tells Judge There Won't be a Trial

The trial of a Danvers man charged with attacking a police officer with a knife nearly two years ago is finally about to begin .

Roy Limbaugh, who is going on trial April 29 for allegedly attacking Danvers Police Officer John Melto with a knife almost two years ago, is insisting there won't be a court trial and even tried to hand Judge Howard Whitehead a bill for $400,000 at a hearing this week. The Salem News reports Limbaugh, 59, was in Salem Superior Court Thursday to argue a motion to dismiss one of the charges against him -- failure to register as a sex offender. During the hearing, he repeatedly told Whitehead there would be no trial and tried to submit his bill, which Whitehead refused to accept, reports the Salem News. The paper reports that Limbaugh, who is representing himself and is a Level 3 Sex Offender, has made several appeals during the case. …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today, Aug. 22

Start your week with our daily guide to everything you need to know in Danvers.

Start your week off in-the-know with our five things you need to know today, August 22. 1. Summer's winding down - the last Summer Concert Series will take place tonight at 6 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion. Tonight's show features the "electrifying" band, Roundabout.   2. Tonight there will be a special Heritage Films showing at the Peabody Institute Library at 7 p.m. Learn more about Danvers documentary film maker Dan Tremblay's films here.  3. While the high temperature today is predicted in the 80's, thunderstorms are possible before noon today, followed by a chance of showers in the afternoon. Don't forget your umbrella! 4. On Friday we brought readers breaking news about the police officer stabbing in town. For the latest information …

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Molly Buccini

10:09 am on Monday, August 22, 2011

Hi Jennifer...yes, I believe so. Their customer service line is (978) 750-1000 if you're interested in learning more about it.   more ›

Suspect Who Allegedly Stabbed Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty

Roy Limbaugh pleaded not guilty Friday in the Salem District Court after a stabbing incident that took place earlier in the morning.

Roy Limbaugh, 58, of 37 Popes Lane, was arraigned today at the Salem District Court after allegedly stabbing a Danvers police officer earlier this morning. Judge Sabita Singh ordered Limbaugh held without bail and continued his case until Aug. 26 for a dangerousness hearing.  Limbaugh pleaded not guilty to armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, and related charges.  According to court reports, Limbaugh also pleaded not guilty to failure to register as a sex offender, subsequent offense; operating after the suspension of his license, subsequent offense; operating with a suspended registration; operating an uninsured motor vehicle; failure to …

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