A resident’s claim that the mayor assaulted him and the mayor’s related harassment complaint will be heard in Folsom court next month.

On Wednesday, the borough scheduled Judge Frank Raso to hear Louis Vitale’s and Mayor William Kennedy’s arguments at 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 16. If the matter is not settled, it is likely Raso would set a trial date at the initial appearance.

Mullica’s policy is to surrender jurisdiction when a case involves a township official.

The men exchanged angry words outside a closed school board session May 12. Then Kennedy struck Vitale, the resident said, knocking him into a small child.

State sentencing guidelines call for a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for simple assault. A harassment conviction carries, at most, 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Kennedy has not commented on the case and could not be reached by telephone Wednesday. Vitale and Michael Peyton, his attorney, both declined to answer questions Wednesday.

Michael St. Amour – who is, like Kennedy, a Democratic township committeeman – corroborated Vitale’s complaint.

According to St. Amour and Vitale, the May 12 encounter began with a conversation between St. Amour and Kennedy.

St. Amour suggested the committee acknowledge resident Larry Angel’s death at its meeting the next night; Angel had died the week before. Kennedy responded incredulously, insulting Angel – a frequent government critic – and casting doubt on his claims of military service, St. Amour and Vitale said.

Vitale, a friend of Angel’s, overheard the remarks and responded angrily. He criticized Kennedy for sandbagging gun-control legislation and called the mayor a liar, prompting Kennedy to shove Vitale, according to the resident’s complaint.

Kennedy’s harassment complaint against Vitale cites these comments, though it does not mention any physical contact between the men.

Vitale filed his complaint in township court the day after the encounter. Kennedy followed the day after that.

Kennedy is the only member of the five-person committee up for re-election in November. He is unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face lone Republican candidate Joseph Maultz in the general election.

To e-mail Eric Scott Campbell:

ECampbell@pressofac.com

COURTDATE

Mullica Township Mayor William Kennedy and township resident Louis Vitale are due in Folsom court at 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 16. The court’s address is 1700 12th St. in Folsom.