Arraignment Set for New Bedford Man in Deadly Botched Robbery

NEW BEDFORD — An arraignment date has been set for a man believed to be involved with an armed robbery of a cab driver that resulted in another man's death.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office says Kyle Dawson, 23, of 28 Bentley Street, Apartment 1, will be arraigned on October 31 in New Bedford District Court. Dawson has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of involuntary manslaughter, armed assault with intent to rob, and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The charges stem from the August 10 attempted robbery of a cab driver on Bentley Street. Prosecutors say Dawson and Christopher Dunton, 24, of New Bedford, had taken a taxi from Cottage Street to Bentley Street. When they arrived at their destination, the pair allegedly placed the driver into a choke-hold and displayed a knife, demanding cash.

The cab driver told police he was able to break free of the hold and reach for his gun, firing several shots into the backseat. Dunton was struck several times and was declared dead at the scene.

The cab driver was licensed to carry a firearm. The District Attorney's Office is investigating whether the shooting was in self-defense.

Dawson was ordered held without bail during his Dangerousness Hearing on August 20 in New Bedford District Court.