Mass. woman severely beaten, suspect held on $100,000 bail

CHELSEA, Mass. - A Boston-area man charged with severely beating a woman with a pipe and leaving her bloodied body on a sidewalk has been ordered held on $100,000 bail.

Manuel Marroquin pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The victim, a 29-year-old woman, was found by passers-by at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, and taken to a hospital where she remains in critical condition.

Authorities say the 26-year-old Marroquin and the victim knew each other and the attack occurred in his home in Chelsea, a small city next to Boston. Marroquin told investigators that the woman tried to steal a computer from him, CBS Boston reported.

According to Chelsea fire officials, the victim was discovered bleeding from her face on the sidewalk, partially clothed, and been badly beaten.

Her injuries were so severe, police originally thought she had been stabbed as well.

Police say the attack was not random, but also that it was not domestic in nature.