Town councilor assaulted in Johnston

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI/AP) -- Johnston police say they've charged a local man with assaulting the Town Council president, who works at the same law firm as the man's wife.
 
Thirty-six-year-old David Batista was charged with simple assault Wednesday. Police say he got into a fight with council president and personal injury lawyer Robert Russo near Russo's law firm.

The alleged attack took place Tuesday at Voccola Law Offices on Broadway in Providence.

The Providence Journal reports Russo injured a finger and his knees and tore his pants during the struggle.
 
Batista, a convicted drug dealer, declined to comment after he was arraigned Wednesday in District Court. He was released on $1,000 personal recognizance and ordered to stay away from Russo.

Russo says Batista was upset because he's having marital problems and believes lawyers in Russo's firm were telling his wife to leave him.

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) -- Johnston's town council president claims he was assaulted while working at his law firm.

The alleged attack took place Tuesday at Voccola Law Offices on Broadway in Providence.

According to the Providence Journal , Robert Russo says he was shoved to the ground by the husband of one of his employees.

The suspect, David Batisita, turned himself in to police, and was arraigned Wednesday on simple assault charges.

So far no word on what led to the confrontation.