Why do people continue to take the law into their own hands rather than let the police do their jobs? I'm sure this guy will get off Scott-free of course, but at least he was arrested for assault. I'm not defending his victim's wrongdoing in saying this, but allegations are just that-- allegations. That is a job for the Criminal Justice system, not every armchair vigilante out there, to determine guilt or innocence. Even though dealing with this guy in prison will cost taxpayers a fortune in medical costs, I'm all for locking another vigilante up in the name of public safety.

I find it hard to believe he didn't mean to assault the guy. He could have called the police and had them arrest the man at his home. Sorry but something smells funnier than the typical old man scent of ben-gay and moth balls. This sounds a lot like intentional assault to me. 

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_0405paraplegic_faces_jail_in_violent_citizens_arrest_victim_charged_with_child_abuse/srvc=home&position=1

Paraplegic faces jail in violent citizen’s arrest

‘Victim’ charged with child abuse

By Laurel J. Sweet and Christine McConville

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 

Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe is pressing ahead with a felony assault charge that could put a paraplegic grandfather in the slammer for up to 10 years for whacking his 3-year-old granddaughter’s alleged molester with a Louisville slugger after setting a trap for his arrest...

Hebert, left confined to a wheelchair with only partial use of his arms after a car crash in Falmouth a decade ago, was summonsed to Edgartown District Court on March 25 and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He said he was advised by a judge to get an attorney and is due back in court May 2 for a pretrial conference...

Hebert’s granddaughter is the child of his life partner’s daughter, but he considers her his kin. The child goes by a different name and her mom married the accused last summer.

Hebert claims it was over Christmas that the tot began asking her grandparents to protect her.

On Feb. 22, Hebert said his partner took her daughter and granddaughter, who were visiting, back to the mainland to talk to police, while he lured Hardy to his Mac PC Sales and Service shop in Vineyard Haven.

Hebert said “fear” prompted him to bring a baseball bat to the rendezvous and call state police to back him up.

Hebert said he pointed the bat at Hardy and ordered him to stay seated until police arrived, but Hardy, he said, stood up and laughed at him — and that’s when he used the bat.