NCCo State Senator Arrested after Punching Woman, Loses Committee Chairmanship
Update:
Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, D-Newark issued the following statement Thursday regarding the Senate Judiciary Committee:
“Yesterday, I shared with Senator Brown that, effective immediately, I would be removing him from his Chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Kyle Evans Gay will preside over the Senate Judiciary Committee going forward.
I believe this step is necessary to allow the Committee to continue its critical work without distraction.”
The Delaware State Police have arrested 39 year old State Senator Darius J. Brown, of Wilmington, after an altercation occurred at a local restaurant over the weekend.
On Sunday May 16, 2021 at approximately 6:20 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the Taverna Rustic Italian Restaurant, located at 3549 Silverside Road, Wilmington, for a report of a domestic altercation. When the troopers arrived, they were contacted by a 44-year-old female victim who informed them she had been punched in the side of the face by Mr. Brown after the two of them began arguing about a social media post. After he assaulted the victim, Mr. Brown got up from the booth where they were seated and threw a glass of water, which broke into pieces. Mr. Brown then exited the establishment prior to the trooper’s arrival. The victim sustained some redness to the side of her face but did not require any medical attention.
Troopers from Troop 1 obtained warrants for Darius Brown’s arrest for Offensive Touching and Disorderly Conduct, which are both misdemeanors.
On Tuesday May 18, 2021, Mr. Brown turned himself into Troop 1 and was processed and arraigned on those charges. He was released on his own recognizance with a no contact order with the victim.
State Senate President pro tempore David Sokola, D- Newark, released this statement Wednesday:
“Accusations of domestic violence are serious and in direct conflict with the values of the Delaware Senate Democratic Caucus. However, a presumption of innocence is one of the most sacred principles in the American criminal justice system. I will carefully consider whether any formal actions are warranted in the coming days as we learn more about this incident.”
Delaware Republican Party Chair Jane Brady called for Brown’s resignation in this statement Wednesday night:
“The behavior that has been reported, if true, is reprehensible and warrants his resignation”, said Brady, noting that the press release by the Delaware State Police reported that the Senator punched the victim in the side of her face. “If Senator Brown refuses to resign, we call on the Senate to conduct an inquiry and expel him for conduct unbecoming an elected official.”
