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SAWHORSE
Man assaulted over handicap spot
By O’Ryan Johnson
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Fairhaven Planning Board member was charged with impersonating a cop and assaulting a man who uses a cane in a dispute over a handicapped parking spot.
Fairhaven police said it started Friday night at the Seaport Inn and Marina, where Joseph Morra, an elected board member who is a constable and the hotel’s manager, had parked his car to take up two handicap parking spots, though he has no special plate or placard.
When a disabled man could not park his own vehicle, he took pictures of the car in the spot, police said. Morra flashed a badge, started swearing, poked the man in the chest and shoved him, police said. The victim was taking Morra’s picture with his cell phone when Morra knocked it to the ground, breaking it into pieces, cops said. The victim later called 911 to report police brutality. When cops arrived, Morra came out and demanded the man be removed from the property. Police determined Morra wasn’t a cop, and he was arrested yesterday.
Fellow Planning Board member Gary Staffon said of Morra’s civic role: “He’s always been very fair. He’s always done what’s right for the town.”
Morra could not be reached for comment yesterday. Police said Morra is also due in court Friday on felony vandalism and larceny
By O’Ryan Johnson
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Fairhaven Planning Board member was charged with impersonating a cop and assaulting a man who uses a cane in a dispute over a handicapped parking spot.
Fairhaven police said it started Friday night at the Seaport Inn and Marina, where Joseph Morra, an elected board member who is a constable and the hotel’s manager, had parked his car to take up two handicap parking spots, though he has no special plate or placard.
When a disabled man could not park his own vehicle, he took pictures of the car in the spot, police said. Morra flashed a badge, started swearing, poked the man in the chest and shoved him, police said. The victim was taking Morra’s picture with his cell phone when Morra knocked it to the ground, breaking it into pieces, cops said. The victim later called 911 to report police brutality. When cops arrived, Morra came out and demanded the man be removed from the property. Police determined Morra wasn’t a cop, and he was arrested yesterday.
Fellow Planning Board member Gary Staffon said of Morra’s civic role: “He’s always been very fair. He’s always done what’s right for the town.”
Morra could not be reached for comment yesterday. Police said Morra is also due in court Friday on felony vandalism and larceny