Woman pleads not guilty to vandalizing historic statue

By Adam Sege, Globe Correspondent

A Quincy woman pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges she vandalized a historic statue at the edge of Boston Common.

A prosecutor said a park ranger saw Rosemine Occean dump yellow paint on the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial statue Tuesday afternoon.

Rosemine Occean booking photo (Suffolk district attorney)

When confronted by authorities, Occean allegedly said the statue was “an improper depiction of history,” Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Elle Rackemann said in court.

During the incident, paint also spilled on members of a family standing nearby, leading the father to usher his three children away from Occean, the prosecutor said.

 Judge Mark Summerville ordered Occean, 38, held on $3,000 bail. He also ordered that she undergo a competency evaluation.

A court psychologist who spoke with Occean described a history of mental health issues and said Occean may have stopped taking antipsychotic and mood-stabilizing medications.

Kerry Eudi, the psychologist said ocean was “pleasant” and “quite cooperative” during their conversation but also exhibited signs of paranoia.