January 20, 2011

NH man seeks leniency after threatening cop

Man accused of threatening to kill a police officer said in court that he was drunk at the time, and that he really is 'not a troublemaker'

By Clynton Namuo
The Manchester Union Leader

DOVER, N.H — A man accused of threatening to kill a police officer and then himself while wielding a knife at the Rollinsford police station late Sunday night told a judge Tuesday he was heavily intoxicated during the incident.

"I was drunk beyond belief and nothing like that has ever happened before. I'm not a trouble maker," Christopher Isaacson, of Farmington, said during his arraignment in Dover District Court on felony charges of criminal threatening and reckless conduct.

Isaacson, 35, of 504 Main St. in Farmington, is accused of going to the Rollinsford police station around 11:40 Sunday night and speaking with officer Jonathan Baker.

"Isaacson would only say that it was a bad night and he was not good," an arrest affidavit says. "Isaacson then pulled a steak knife out of his right pocket." Isaacson allegedly threatened to kill Baker and walked to a nearby street as the officer followed, the affidavit says. Several officers from other towns arrived and Isaacson continued to act erratically.

"Isaacson repeatedly told officer Baker that he was going to kill someone or be shot," the affidavit says.

Isaacson later put the knife to his throat and refused police requests to drop it.

"Isaacson then attempted to cut his throat with the knife, but did not as the knife was too dull," the affidavit says.

Police tried using a taser to disarm Isaacson, but it failed to penetrate his clothing and didn't work, the affidavit said. Eventually an officer who knows Isaacson talked him into dropping the knife and he was arrested.

Isaacson said during his arraignment that he lives with his mother and has no job and could not explain what he allegedly did other than to say he was drunk.

Judge Stephen Morrison set his bail at $25,000 cash and referred Isaacson for a mental health evaluation.

Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Chase described Isaacson as "very disturbed" and had requested $100,000 cash bail. Isaacson is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.