Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced that Erwin (Earl) Grantley, (DOB: 5/4/67) with a last known address of 34 Corrente Avenue, Pawtucket, was found guilty yesterday of domestic assault with a dangerous weapon in a dwelling with intent to murder and domestic breaking and entering.
The jury returned the guilty verdict in two days after a six day trial presided over by Superior Court Associate Justice Susan E. McGuirl.
During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on the morning of May 28, 2009, Grantley broke into the home of his former girlfriend and confronted her regarding her whereabouts. Grantley punched the victim in the face, pushed her to the floor and began to strangle her until she lost consciousness. Grantley then stabbed her in the chest.
The victim woke up to Grantley holding her cell phone charger cord around her neck. She was able to free herself from the cord, throwing it away. Grantley then left the premises and the victim made her way upstairs where her sons were sleeping. One of her sons called 911 while the other observed Grantley leaving the scene in his mother's SUV.
Grantley had been released from the Adult Correctional Institute to home confinement parole on May 20, 2009, just eight days prior to the assault, after serving approximately one year of a two year sentence for violating his probation. Grantley has a long criminal record, including multiple convictions for domestic assault and assault with a dangerous weapon. Grantley has been held without bail since his arrest following the assault.
Detectives John Mellor (ret.) and Robert Firth led the investigation for the Providence Police, and Special Assistant Attorney General Diane Daigle prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.