A Massachusetts mayor was arrested Friday for allegedly biting his husband and hitting him with a crowbar, but the mayor and his wife left court holding hands on Monday and apologized.
According to reports, Taunton Mayor Shauna O’Connell, 54, is facing charges stemming from a domestic dispute that occurred at their home around 8.20pm on Friday after her husband Ted called police.
When officers arrived, Ted O’Connell told officers there had been an argument about marital issues before it became violent.
“Mr. O’Connell stated that during the argument his wife, Shauna, bit him on his left forearm and then grabbed a small crowbar/gasket cleaner and struck him with it around his right hand/knuckles,” the police report states. WCVB claims to have acquired it.
The sergeant also observed open wounds that appeared to be bite marks and “multiple open wounds on the knuckles,” according to the police report.
Authorities say Shauna O’Connell, who is also a former state representative, is accused of jumping on the hood of her husband’s car as he tried to flee in it, leaving a dent in the vehicle.
The husband said he was concerned about his wife, who was in the bedroom when police arrived.
According to the police report, she alleged to police that her husband had been “verbally abusive” towards her. Obtained by The Boston Globe.
Meanwhile, the Republican mayor, who has served as Taunton’s mayor since 2020, insisted to police that she didn’t know how her husband received the bruises.
She pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic assault and assault with a dangerous weapon, according to the Boston Globe.
Footage captured by WCVB showed the couple holding hands after Monday’s court hearing. The mayor remained silent, while her husband gave a short statement.
“I apologise for calling the police,” he said. “I apologise to my wife and to the people of Taunton. It was a big mistake.”
The couple have previously admitted that they are having difficulties, like any other couple, and are trying to resolve their marital issues.
“During the altercation, Ted involved police and regrets that decision. As we address this matter, we ask that you respect our family’s privacy regarding this personal matter,” they said in a joint statement to the Globe.
The mayor said on his campaign website that he has been married for more than 25 years.
