Five charged, four as juveniles, in Somersworth chocolate shop attack
SOMERSWORTH — Five suspects ages 16-18 are being charged with riot one year after the owners of the now-closed Wm. Poole Confections chocolate shop alleged they were attacked,
Only one of the suspects is named in court documents and charged as an adult. Christopher Thomas Daskey, 18, of High Street in Somersworth, is charged with riot, a Class B felony, punishable by 3.5-7 years in jail and a fine of up to $4,000 if he's found guilty.
William Poole and his husband Loren last year said they were both injured in the attack and permanently closed their shop. They alleged it was a hate crime, accusing the alleged assailants of calling them homophobic slurs.
Police at the time of the incidents said two juveniles and one adult were sent to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Poole cited cuts and bruises and a concussion, stating he feared for his life and his husband's life.
Assistant County Attorney Walter Ramos said no hate crimes are being charged.
"We reviewed the case, and at this time, we found no explicit evidence that this is a hate crime," Ramos said.
Daskey was 17 at the time of the incidents on July 16 and 23, 2023, at the 58 High St. business, which opened in 2021. The indictment by a Strafford County grand jury indicates it found enough evidence to warrant a trial.
Poole could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Daskey and the other four suspects are all facing the same riot charge, as well Class C misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief, simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Daskey is scheduled to be arraigned in Strafford County Superior Court on Aug. 6. He is free on personal recognizance bail. It was not immediately known if Daskey has an attorney.
Ramos said he does not anticipate charges against the shop owners.
Wm. Poole Confections never reopened following the incidents last year. According to police, the couple has moved out of the city.
Four suspects to face charges in juvenile court
Four suspects being charged as juveniles are named in the indictment only by initials and their cases are headed to family court with records sealed, according to Ramos. One of the four was 18 at the time of the July 2023 incidents. Ramos was asked why this suspect is being charged as a juvenile, despite being older than Daskey.
"We looked at each person, each case on its own and it is within our right to decide to use a juvenile petition, even though (the suspect) was 18 at the time," Ramos said.
"How it is handled in juvenile court is different," Ramos said. "Instead of facing a trial, it's called an adjudication, done through juvenile petitions. It is not done in open court."
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Five charged, four as juveniles, in Somersworth chocolate shop attack
