Governor's councilor apologizes; felony assault charges dismissed
No admission to hitting clerk
Felony assault charges against Governor's Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney were dismissed yesterday just as a trial was to begin on allegations that she threw a shopping bag at a store clerk last year.
Under the terms of the deal announced in Newton District Court, Devaney agreed to apologize to a Waltham beauty supply store clerk for her role in an April 2007 altercation and to serve nine months of unsupervised probation. She did not admit she assaulted the clerk.
Waltham police had accused Devaney of striking Adrianna Latif with a bag containing a curling iron during a dispute over a purchase. According to police reports, Devaney and Latif had gotten into an argument after Latif refused to accept Devaney's personal check without a driver's license or state-issued identification, citing store policy. Waltham police said an irate Devaney then attempted to use her State House badge and her status as an elected official to bully Latif into accepting the check.
Yesterday, Devaney appeared upset after court adjourned, saying she, not Latif, was the victim, and she remarked bitterly about the prospect of having to register with the Waltham probation office. "This is the way the system is, and I have to go on with my life," said Devaney, who is also a Watertown Town Council member.
Both women said the media attention from the case has caused tremendous stress for them and their families and was a decisive factor in settling things instead of proceeding with a trial.
"This was very difficult for me to deal with, being in the public eye," Latif told Judge Gregory C. Flynn before breaking down in tears. The attention was "disrespectful and harmful to me," she said. "I'm just glad it's finally resolved."
"It's been hell," a weary Latif said later as she left the courthouse. Since the incident, Latif said, she's been hounded by reporters, received anonymous threatening and nuisance calls at her home and at the beauty supply store, where she still works.
As part of the agreement, Devaney wrote a letter of apology to Latif, a document both sides said they intend to keep private. Latif was not impressed, stating, "I think she's just going through the motions."
"I'm just happy that she finally admitted what she did was wrong," said Latif. "Hopefully, she can move on and not do it to someone else."
"Crazy media coverage" of the case has been "salacious and unfortunate," said Devaney's lawyer, Janice Bassil.
Bassil said that under the agreement, Devaney did not admit to assaulting Latif. "Certainly, Mrs. Devaney never intended to hit anybody or hurt anybody," and "never brandished a weapon," said Bassil.
Bassil said that, contrary to police reports, the shopping bag involved in the incident never actually contained a curling iron, only a sample of mascara, some hairspray, and a boxed electric brush/hairdryer.
"It wouldn't have been pursued to the level it was if she was an ordinary person," said Bassil.
Devaney is up for reelection to the Governor's Council and faces two challengers from Watertown and Waltham in the Sept. 16 Democratic primary.
Last November, Devaney nearly lost the Watertown Town Council seat she has held for 27 years by a handful of votes until a recount narrowly secured her a victory.
"She has some serious business to do and she can't do it with people making fun of her," said Bassil.
Christina Pazzanese can be reached at cpazzanese@globe.com. 