Mayor of Taunton pleads not guilty after domestic incident with husband

TAUNTON, Massachusetts (WLNE) – Taunton Mayor Shauna O’Connell pleaded not guilty in court today to assault charges related to an incident involving her husband that occurred over the weekend.O’Connell was charged with assault on a family member and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Over the weekend, police said officers responded to the home of O’Connell and her husband, Ted, after receiving a call about a domestic incident.

When they arrived, they were greeted in the driveway by her husband, who said the two had had an argument that had turned physical.

Her husband told police that O’Connell then bit him on the forearm, grabbed a gasket cleaner and hit him on the hand with it.

He further stated that he tried to escape in their car, but O’Connell climbed onto the hood of the car so he could not drive away.

The photo from the Taunton police report shows a picture of O’Connell’s car. (Photo obtained by ABC 6 News)

The officers found injuries on him and a dent in the car.

O’Connell was found in the apartment and told officers she did not know how her husband sustained her injuries.

A photo from the Taunton police report shows O’Connell’s husband after he was allegedly attacked. (Photo obtained by ABC 6 News)

O’Connell further said he verbally abused her, after which she was arrested.

A photo from the Taunton police report shows O’Connell’s husband after he was allegedly attacked. (Photo obtained by ABC 6 News)

O’Connell’s office has since released a statement about the incident.

“During an argument, Ted called the police and regrets that decision,” O’Connell said.

“We ask our family for privacy regarding personal matters while we work through this matter,” she said.

O’Connell said she and her husband have been married for 27 years and, like all couples, have their challenges and are working through their marital problems.

A photo from the Taunton police report shows the caulk scraper O’Connell allegedly used when she attacked her husband. (Photo obtained by ABC 6 News)