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Man behind alleged mayhem pleads ‘not guilty’

Prosecutors work to prove Calvin is competent

By Damien Fisher - Staff Writer | May 19, 2018

NASHUA – The man charged with allegedly carjacking two women, stabbing one of them and causing a massive crash on the Everett Turnpike two years ago waived his scheduled arraignment Friday, entering not guilty pleas to the numerous felony counts weighed against him.

Jonathan Calvin, 33, was initially deemed incompetent to stand trial last year. That changed last month when he was indicted on several counts as prosecutors work to show he’s able to be tried in court.

Calvin is indicted on seven charges, two counts of theft, and one count each of robbery; armed robbery – weapon or serious bodily injury; first-degree assault – deadly weapon; attempted first-degree assault – deadly weapon; and reckless conduct – deadly weapon.

The afternoon traffic rush was ramping up on that Friday afternoon when Calvin allegedly set in motion the series of events that culminated about an hour later with a massive, multi-vehicle pileup in the northbound lanes of the Everett Turnpike near Exit 4.

Police investigators said at the time that Calvin allegedly car-jacked a woman in downtown Nashua, drove off in her vehicle then crashed into a guardrail on the turnpike.

He then allegedly flagged down a passing Volvo driven by a then 20-year-old Nashua woman, who said at the time that Calvin asked her for help, but then allegedly brandished a knife and stabbed the woman.

She fought him off and managed to get out of her car, which Calvin then allegedly commandeered and sped off south on the turnpike.

Shortly after he crossed into Massachusetts, Calvin turned around and headed back to Nashua, eventually plowing into the slow-moving traffic near Exit 4.

Soon after his arrest, Matthew Calvin told The Telegraph at the time that his brother has battled mental illness since his teens, having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and later, exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia.

Jonathan Calvin spent most of the night and early morning hours walking and running through downtown Nashua, repeatedly calling his brother – who was in another state at the time.

“He was scared to go back to his apartment,” Matthew Calvin said. “He thought he was running for his life.”

Damien Fisher can be reached at 594-1245 or dfisher@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DF.

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