Original Blog Entry: Elected official arrested for assaulting disabled person

truesee — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:21:36 GMT

Elected official arrested for assaulting disabled person

Fairhaven Police Department

Elected town official Joseph Morra is arrested for assaulting a disabled person.

WJAR Staff

July 25, 2011

FAIRHAVEN, MASS. -- According to Fairhaven police, the victim who uses a cane to walk told them he was having a hard time parking his vehicle in a designated handicapped parking space in the parking lot of the Seaport Inn and Marina Friday night.

The problem was caused by another vehicle that was taking up two handicapped parking spaces despite that vehicle not having a handicapped license plate or placard visible.

The victim told police that he began taking photographs of the offending vehicle with his cell phone. He stated he was approached by Joseph Morra, who was the vehicle owner. The victim informed police that Morra displayed a badge to him and ordered him off the property while uttering several insulting expletives. According to police, the victim says Morra allegedly poked the victim in the chest and sternum several times then shoved him, nearly knocking him to the ground. As the victim attempted to take Morra s photograph with his cell phone, Morra reportedly slapped it from his hand, causing it to break into several pieces on the pavement.

Fairhaven Police tell NBC 10 that while officers were speaking with the victim, Morra came out of the Seaport Inn and yelled at them to get the victim off the property, using a barrage of profanity and derogatory remarks.

Mora was arrested Monday evening after a warrant was issued Monday morning by Third District Court. He has been charged with assault and battery on a disabled person, intimidation of a witness, impersonating a police officer and malicious destruction of property valued at over $250.

Morra is an elected member of the Fairhaven Planning Board, as well as a constable who was appointed by the New Bedford City Council.

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