David Nichols stabbed ER nurse in neck: A 76-year-old man who says he is dying of lung cancer was arrested this week for allegedly stabbing a nurse in the neck — nearly slicing her carotid artery — while receiving treatment a a hospital emergency room in Massachusetts. David Nichols was taken into custody Monday evening and charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, authorities announced.
David Nichols, who is accused of stabbing an ER nurse in the neck , appears for his arraignment on Monday (CBS News screenshots)David Nichols stabbed ER nurse in neck: Police
According to a press release from the Gardner Police Department, officers at about 8 p.m. on June 12 responded to the Heywood Hospital Emergency Department located in the 200 block of Green Street, which is about 65 miles northwest of Boston. Upon arriving at the scene, first responders located the victim, saying she was a “member of the nursing staff at the hospital.” The victim was transported to the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, about 30 miles away, for treatment.
Authorities say the suspected attacker — later identified as Nichols — was taken into custody at the scene.
Nichols — a New Hampshire resident who is still a patient at Heywood Hospital — appeared remotely from his hospital bed on Tuesday for his arraignment in the Gardner District Court.
During the proceedings, prosecutors said that the victim was trying to help Nichols adjust breathing tubes connected to his nostrils when he suddenly took her by the arm and stuck a pocket knife into her neck, CBS News reported.
