SALEM A confusing situation from back in November that appeared to involve elements of road rage and an alleged carjacking concluded in court Monday, as the three menfacing chargesinvoked their Fifth Amendment right not to testify.

One of the men, Edward Kehoe Jr., 39, of 78 Walnut St., Saugus, was sentenced to 18 months on probation and must take a driving safety class after pleading guilty to driving after license suspension and driving to endanger during a hearing Monday in Salem District Court.

The remaining charges against Kehoe, including carjacking, were dismissed, as were carjacking and assault and battery charges against his friend, Brian Scott, 41, of 338 Main St., Wakefield.

A third man, Isaiah Davis, 23, of 10 Heritage Drive, Salem, was also cleared of charges of assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

The three were arrested on the evening of Nov. 1, after a series of events that apparently started when Scott and Kehoe allegedly believed Davis had rear-ended them on Highland Avenue in Salem and then tried to flee. Witnesses said the men followed Davis to his home then pulled him from his car.

Kehoe then hopped into Davis's car and drove it away, over a traffic divider, damaging the vehicle.

Court filings show that punches were thrown throughout the confrontation.

But on Monday, as the case was scheduled for motions, it became clear that each of the three defendants had a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination that would have been a factor in whether they were willing to testify.

As a result, all but the two charges involving Kehoe's decision to drive Scott's car were dropped.

Judge Carol-Ann Fraser imposed 18 months of probation on Kehoe, with a required National Safety Council driver training class. He will also be required to pay restitution, to be determined April 10.

Kehoe's attorney, Patrick O'Malley, told the judge that his client is still suffering the effects of a head injury he received during the incident.

Courts reporter Julie Manganis can be reached at 978-338-2521, by email at jmanganis@salemnews.com or on Twitter at @SNJulieManganis.

See the original post:

Few answers as three men in November confrontation take the 5th - The Salem News