Local News

Taunton mayor, husband want charges she attacked him with a crowbar dismissed

The couple, who have been married for 33 years, submitted separate affidavits asking for the charges to be dropped.

Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell speaks during a visit to Assawompset Pond in 2020. Erin Clark/Globe Staff

October 8, 2024

2 minutes to read

Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell and her husband, Ted O’Conell, have filed court papers asking for the dismissal of criminal charges against Shaunna after an alleged fight between the couple in July.

On July 19, Shaunna and her husband got into a fight, during which she allegedly bit him and struck him with a small crowbar, a police report from the incident said. Police arrested the mayor and charged her with assault and battery on a family member and with a dangerous weapon.

Court documents said Ted was allegedly verbally abusing Shaunna when she attacked him. He then tried to leave and she jumped on the hood of his car to stop him, the police report said.

The report said Ted denied an emergency restraining order and medical attention after police offered both to him. In the affidavit submitted on Sept. 19, Edward said he told police he did not want his wife to be arrested.

“I wish I never had called the police,” he said in the affidavit.

Officers said they found Shaunna inside the house, placed her in handcuffs and escorted her out of the building.

But now, the couple has asked Attleboro District Court to drop all charges against Shaunna. They both filed affidavits asking for the charges to be dropped on Sept. 19.

“My wife and I immediately reconciled,” Ted said in one of the affidavits. “My wife and I want this criminal action dismissed.”

He also said he would plead the fifth amendment and not take the stand if the matter were to go to trial.

In Shaunna’s affidavit, she said she told police “very little” when questioned about the alleged altercation with her husband, which she said led to her arrest. She echoed Ted’s statement, affirming she and him have reconciled and both want the charges dropped.

“Like all couples, we have had challenges,” the couple said in a joint statement to Boston.com made days after Shaunna’s arrest. “We’ve been working through marital issues. 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.”

Shaunna became mayor in Taunton in January of 2020 and was previously a State Representative. She did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.

Shaunna and Ted have been married for 33 years, both said in their affidavit.