Man connected to VFW stabbing held on bail

My Town Common: New Bedford News and Community Information

NEW BEDFORD, Mass.—A New Bedford man has been ordered held on $150,000 bail for his role in a fatal brawl outside a Fairhaven VFW hall last year.

Thomas Opozda is charged with murder, armed assault with intent to murder, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. His trial is scheduled for Feb. 16.

Prosecutors say Opozda stabbed Robert Williams, of Fairhaven, twice with a pocket knife as the victim tried to break up a brawl outside the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in April 2008.

Opozda then allegedly gave the knife to Brandon Callender, who allegedly stabbed Joshua Fitzgerald of Fairhaven. Fitzgerald later died.

Opozda is charged with murder via a joint venture theory.

Opozda recently finished serving a one-year sentence for violating probation terms in a prior case.