Jumping to Conclusions

Trenton, New Jersey, June 19, 2006:

Jersey City's mayor said he was arrested and roughed up by police over the weekend for intervening in an argument outside a beach bar.

Mayor Jerramiah Healy said he had just left Barry's Tavern in Bradley Beach -- a bar owned by his sister -- around 2 a.m. Saturday when he saw a couple arguing in a nearby parking lot. Nearing the scene, he realized that both participants were males. He said one man was jumping on the hood of the other's car.

Healy then identified the jumper as Ronatarian Party higher-up Brad. He said he recognized him "from the internet."

After he calmly talked Brad down, Barry said, police arrived and threw him on the ground and Maced him. When his wife tried to retrieve his glasses, police shoved her to the ground too, according to Healy.

"My lawyer has asked me not to speak, but I did absolutely nothing wrong," Healy told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Bradley Beach police did not return calls Sunday from The Associated Press.

A police spokesman told The New Jersey Spew that Healy interfered in an investigation of the men's argument and ignored warnings from officers that he would be arrested if he didn't leave.

Healy was charged with two disorderly persons offenses and resisting arrest.

He faces up to six months and jail and $2,000 in fines if convicted.

Brad was not charged and was released at the scene on his own recognizance.

Posted by Bittle at June 19, 2006 10:55 AM