TAUNTON, Mass. (WPRI) — Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell appeared in Attleboro District Court on Friday after asking a judge to dismiss a domestic assault case against her.

The mayor is accused of assaulting her husband at their Worcester Street home back in July . According to court documents, O’Connell allegedly bit her husband and hit him with a gasket scraper.

At the hearing, O’Connell was flanked by her husband and daughter. Her husband, the alleged victim in the case, kept his arm around his wife.

Court documents say the mayor had asked the judge to dismiss the case because “the alleged victim is her husband, and that the parties have reconciled.” The documents also show that O’Connell’s husband would refuse to testify at trial.

Prosecutors argued that it would be “inappropriate” to dismiss the case, given that O’Connell is facing a felony charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The judge dismissed the defense’s motion, opting to send the case to a jury trial.

O’Connell pleaded not guilty to the felony charge, as well as a misdemeanor count of assault and battery on a family member. She was ordered not to abuse the victim.

A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 12.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, seek help immediately:

National Domestic Violence Hotline : 1-800-799-7233

Rhode Island

Helpline RI : 800-494-8100
Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center : 800-494-8100
Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center : 401-738-1700
Women’s Resource Center : 401-846-5263
Crossroads RI : 401-861-2760

Massachusetts

SafeLink : 877-785-2020
SSTAR Women’s Center : 508-675-0087
The Women’s Center : 508-999-6636
New Hope : 800-323-HOPE (4673)
Health Imperatives : 508-588-TALK (8255)

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