Curling iron charge dropped after Devaney apologizes

The assault charge against Governor's Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney was dismissed today as part of an agreement that had her write a letter of apology to a store clerk for allegedly throwing a bag with a curling iron at her more than a year ago.

With a trial set to begin today in Newton District Court, Devaney agreed to nine months of unsupervised probation in lieu of facing a felony charge. By settling the case, she did not admit to assaulting the clerk.

Devaney had been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after police said she struck a Waltham beauty supply store clerk with a shopping bag containing a curling iron in April 2007. The offense carries a possible sentence of 10 years in prison.

In May of this year, Devaney's trial was delayed after her lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the case for "vindictive prosecution."

At the time, Janice Bassil, who represents Devaney, said the pursuit of a felony charge against her client was unusually aggressive, given the circumstances. Devaney is also a Watertown town councilor.

-- Christina Pazzanese