Homeless Man Charged in Library Brawl

The following information was supplied by the Boston Police Department. Charges listed do not indicate convictions. 

A homeless man told police that he beat a man up at the Boston Public Library after he felt he was sexually assaulted.

Boston Police Officers were patrolling the area near the Boston Marathon Bombing on Boylston Street at about 5:15 p.m. on May 11 when pedestrians told them about a fight in front of the Boston Public Library.

Officers were on their way over to the Library when another witness told them “those two guys beat the other guy up.”

Officers talked to the two men, who seemed highly intoxicated. Officers made note of the smell of alcohol and the slurred speech of both suspects. According to the police report, one man said, “I had nothing to do with it,” while the other said, “I did it. The guy came at me sexually and I kicked his ass.”

Officers arrested Matthew Larkin, a homeless man, and charged him with assault and battery.

The victim was treated on the scene. The officers tried to get information from the victim, but all he could offer was his name. The victim appeared “extremely intoxicated.” Officers observed abrasions on his face and blood on his face and mouth. The victim was taken to New England Medical Center for treatment for these injuries.

The next day, detectives went to New England Medical Center to speak with the victim. Hospital employees told the detectives that the victim had been treated and released. The detectives went to the victim’s house and talked about the lead up to the fight. The victim told police that he had had a few drinks at the Library when the suspect attacked him for no reason. Detectives asked if he had made any sexual advances towards the suspect, and the victim said no. The victim told detectives that he did not remember much of what happened. Detectives made note of the visible wounds on the victim’s face.