A Massachusetts mayor was arrested Friday for allegedly biting her husband and hitting him with a crowbar – but it was the city leader’s spouse who offered up an apology as the two exited court hand-in-hand Monday.
Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell, 54, is facing charges stemming from a domestic dispute that took place inside their home Friday around 8:20 p.m. after her husband Ted called police, according to reports.
When the cops arrived, Ted O’Connell told officers they had an argument about a marital problem before it turned physical.
“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,” a police report obtained WCVB alleges.
A sergeant also saw an open wound that appeared to be a bite mark and “multiple open wounds on the knuckles,” the police report states.
Shaunna O’Connell, who is also a former state lawmaker, then allegedly jumped on the hood of his car when he tried to drive off, leaving dents on the car, according to authorities.
When police arrived, the husband said he was concerned for his wife, who was inside a bedroom.
She claimed to police her husband was “verbally abusive” toward her, according to the police report also obtained by the Boston Globe.
Meanwhile, the Republican mayor, who has led Taunton since 2020, claimed to police she didn’t know how her husband got the bruises.
She pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery on a household member and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the Boston Globe reported.
Footage captured by WCVB showed the married couple holding hands after her court hearing Monday. While the mayor remained silent, her husband issued a brief statement.
“I apologize for calling the police,” he said. “I apologize to my wife and the people of Taunton. It was a huge mistake.”
The pair previously acknowledged they’ve had their challenges like other couples and were working through marital problems.
“During an argument Ted involved the police and regrets making that decision. We ask for privacy for our family on personal issues as we work through this matter,” the two said in a joint statement, per the Globe.
The mayor said on her campaign website she’s been married for more than 25 years.
