The mayor of Taunton is dealing with assault and battery fees after she allegedly assaulted her husband with a crowbar throughout an argument at dwelling.
Shaunna O’Connell, a Republican who was a state consultant earlier than mayor, was arraigned on assault fees in Taunton District Court docket on Monday following the alleged incident Friday evening.
Taunton Police responded to the couple’s Worcester Avenue dwelling after 8 p.m., following a report of a disturbance that probably concerned a crowbar.
When police arrived, they requested O’Connell’s husband — Ted — what was happening.
“… he stated that he and his wife were involved in an argument that ended up turning physical,” the police report reads.
“Mr. O’Connell stated that during their argument his wife Shaunna had bit him on his left-forearm and then proceeded to grab a small type of crowbar/gasket cleaner and had struck him with it on his right hand/knuckle area,” the police report states.
Police observed an obvious chew wound on Ted’s left forearm. In addition they noticed open wounds on his proper hand’s knuckles.
Ted instructed police that when he tried to go away in his automobile, Shaunna had “jumped on the hood of his vehicle, so he was not able to leave.”
Police observed a small dent on the entrance of the hood.
“At this time, I asked Mr. O’Connell where his wife Shaunna was, and he stated that she was currently inside of the residence, and he was concerned for her,” the police report reads. “I asked him what the concern was for, and he continued to state that he was worried for her.”
Police requested Ted if his spouse had any entry to weapons, and he stated there have been firearms within the residence however the weapons had been secured in a secure.
When police went inside the home, Shaunna initially declined to open a door for police.
“Upon asking her to open the door Shaunna had advised me to hold on as she had no intention on opening the door,” the police report reads. “I again advised Shaunna to open the door so that we could speak in a cordial manner as this was not making things any easier.”
“After a few minutes of requesting her to open the door, she did… I then asked her what had occurred today, and she stated that she ‘did not know,’ ” the police report states. “I advised Shaunna of the statement her husband Ted had provided to me and asked her again what had occurred, and she again stated that she did not know… She then stated that her husband had been verbally abusive to her.”
She was positioned underneath arrest and booked at police headquarters.
Shaunna was arraigned Monday on fees of assault and battery with a harmful weapon (gasket scraper), and home assault and battery. She was launched on private recognizance.
“Ted and I have been married for 27 years,” the couple stated in a joint assertion. “Like all couples, we have had challenges. We’ve been working through marital issues.
“During an argument Ted involved the police and regrets making that decision,” the couple added.
Exterior of courtroom Monday, Shaunna didn’t converse to reporters.
Her husband made a short remark to reporters: “I apologize for calling the police. I apologize to my wife and the people of Taunton. It was a huge mistake.”
A particular prosecutor shall be assigned to prosecute the case.
