METHUEN — A 28-year-old man, called a "rat" for cooperating with two investigations of the Lawrence School Department, says he was jumped by two men and beaten unconscious in his driveway.
"When I came to, the first thing that came to my mind was retaliation," said Charles Birchall, who was attacked Thursday at 9:30 p.m. at 54 Ayers Village Road.
His home is on a wooded lot at the end of a 700-foot driveway off Route 97.
Those who typically visit him are either friends or family, he said. So when a large, dark-colored sport utility vehicle pulled into his driveway with the high beams on, Birchall at first suspected the driver was lost. He immediately stepped outside to see who it was.
"Are you Charlie?" a man yelled.
When Birchall answered, 'Yes. What's up?' he said he was jumped from behind, repeatedly punched in the head and kicked in the ribs.
The SUV driver and another man, who Birchall believes was hiding behind him in his driveway, "started punching and kicking him."
"I blacked out," he said.
Birchall said he regained consciousness as he lay on the ground and the two men were still beating him and swearing. When they finally left, he called Methuen police and his family for help.
Birchall heard footsteps behind him before he was punched in the back of the head, according to a police report.
The blow knocked off his glasses. As he fell to the ground, his cell phone flew from his hand, the report said.
Birchall described the man standing near the SUV as Hispanic, but was unable to provide police with a license plate number or a description of the second suspect.
After leaving, the two suspects drove west on Route 97 toward Salem, N.H., the police report said.
Both Methuen and Lawrence police are investigating the assault, which left Birchall with bumps, bruises and a bloody lip. There were still no suspects as of last night.
Birchall is the son of Sharon Birchall, longtime girlfriend of Lawrence police Chief John Romero.
Lawrence detectives, already involved in the School Department probe, are conducting further interviews "given the nature of the attack, which does not appear random," Romero said.
"At this point, we can't say it's connected but we can't discount it either," Romero said.
The men face charges of assault and battery and possibly intimidation of a witness and obstruction of justice.
Birchall described the SUV driver as in his late 20s and about 6 feet tall. He was wearing a black baseball cap, T-shirt and blue jeans. He believes the SUV is a newer model Ford Expedition.
"These guys definitely set it up with the high beams so I wouldn't be able to see much when I came out," Birchall said.
He said he did not go to the emergency room for treatment that night but will likely see his primary care physician early this week.
Birchall is a graphic designer who has worked for seven years in the Lawrence School Department media room, where local and state authorities are investigating the misuse of a $500,000 printing press for political candidates.
An investigation of financial improprieties in the School Department is also underway. Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy is on paid suspension amid the probes.
As a media room employee, Birchall said he has been questioned in recent months by investigators from the Lawrence Police Department, troopers assigned to District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's office, and the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
He would not comment on what questions investigators asked or his answers.
However, Birchall said providing honest answers to police is the "right thing to do."
Despite his integrity, Birchall said he's been taunted by some co-workers and others as being a "snitch" and "a rat."
"People are blaming me," he said. "People around the city are trying to pin it on me. ... I am in this situation because I work for the School Department and I cooperated with police. I am not going to lie to them. I'm going to cooperate with police."
Birchall said he told Mary Lou Bergeron, the School Department's acting superintendent, about the assault Thursday. He called in sick Friday and it was unclear if Birchall would return to work today.
Staff Writer Brian Messenger contributed to this report
