‘Stupid Overreaction To A Dumb Thing’ Sends Adams Man To Jail

An Adams man has been sentenced to three years in jail for assaulting a physically disabled woman.

The Berkshire Eagle reports Jayme Zepka, 58, admitted Friday that he punched and kicked the woman in August in an assault he described to police as a "stupid overreaction to a dumb thing."

Adams Police responded to the reported assault on Manners Avenue about 8:41 a.m. Aug. 18.

Officers immediately observed bruising on the victim's arms and legs. They later also saw bruises, some of which were described as very large, on her hips and torso. She was treated by Adams Ambulance Service personnel and taken to Berkshire Medical Center in North Adams.

The victim told police that Zepka had pushed her into the corner of the kitchen, punched her and kicked her.

Police tracked down Zepka on Cherry Street, where he allegedly made statements acknowledging that he had struck the victim several times.

Zepka admitted to sufficient facts for a finding of guilty on charges of assault and battery causing injury to a disabled person, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in the Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction, with 26 days of credit for time served.