City Wins Conviction in Assault on Johnston Councilman

The Providence Journal:

A Johnston man who thought his wife was having an affair with the town's council president was convicted Tuesday afternoon of assaulting the councilman as he left a Providence bakery, carrying a tray of lattes.

District Court Judge Anthony Capraro rejected David Batista's testimony and found Batista guilty of simple assault in an altercation with Robert V. Russo, who has sat on Johnston's council for 19 years and been the panel's president for 12 years.

Russo, who strongly denies any affair with Batista's wife, suffered cuts to his knees, an injured finger and torn pants when he scuffled with Batista on Dec. 4 outside Seven Stars Bakery, on Broadway.

In court Tuesday, one witness, a bakery employee, told Assistant City Solicitor Jillian Barker that he saw a man initiate the fight by punching Russo in the head.

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