Ex-Tewksbury State Hospital Patient Incompetent to Stand Trial

LOWELL - A 36-year-old former Tewksbury State Hospital patient accused of repeatedly punching a man and lewd behavior in front of a woman -- both patients -- will ask to have all his cases dismissed after he was deemed incompetent to stand trial.

In Lowell District Court on Friday, Robert Arsenault, 36, of Tewksbury, who is being held at Bridgewater State Hospital , was scheduled for a status hearing to deal with three cases: 2012 charge of assault with a dangerous weapon; 2012 charge of assault and battery on someone over 60/disabled with injury; and 2015 charge of open and gross lewdness.

Arsenault, who suffers from a variety of mental-health issues, has been found incompetent to stand trial in charges he has in Essex County, according to Arsenault's attorney. Arsenault has also been evaluated for competency in his Middlesex cases and found incompetent.

The attorney asked for a June 20 court date so that a judge can decide if Arsenault's cases should be dismissed.

Tewksbury police allege that in a July 31, 2015 incident, Arsenault, who is mentally ill, entered the "comfort room ''at the hospital where the 55-year-old female victim was sitting coloring in a coloring book.

Arsenault began to make lewd and sexually suggestive comments to the woman, then pulled his pants down and exposed himself, according to court documents. The victim could not speak, yell or move, police report.

Arsenault then asked the victim if he was "impressive.'' He allegedly began doing a "booty dance,'' police said.

The victim was eventually able to escape and tell a staff member. The victim, who suffers from mental illness, remained in her room for the next four to five days. As a result, Arsenault was removed from the unit.

In a Jan. 22, 2012 incident, Arsenault is accused of punching a 57-year-old male patient in the face. The victim suffered a large lump on his nose due to the alleged assault, police said.

No details were available for the other assault case.

Photo of Robert Arsenault by Lisa Redmond/lisa.redmond@patch.com.