Brookline Firefighter Appears In Court On Assault Charges
BROOKLINE (CBS) -- A Brookline firefighter appeared in court Tuesday to face assault charges after allegedly beating a homeless man who took too long to order food.
Prosecutors say a surveillance camera caught firefighter Joseph Ward, 37, of Dorchester throw a bottle at the man outside of Anna's Taqueria on Harvard Street in Brookline late Sunday night.
The firefighter allegedly straddled the man and punched him five-to-seven times using both hands. He's also accused of kicking the man.
Witness David Dunsire told WBZ-TV the homeless man did not fight back.
"He didn't even throw a punch at him," Dunsire said.
The prosecutor called the surveillance video of the incident "quite violent."
The victim was taken to the hospital for observation.
Ward's attorney said the incident began inside Anna's Taqueria and has requested the surveillance camera from inside the restaurant. He said that footage will show a different side to this story and exonerate Ward.
Ward is on administrative leave, according to the city manager.
Ward was released on personal recognizance Tuesday. He is due back in court in November.