Mom, son charged in beating of bar patron
A mother and son who went out drinking last weekend ended their family night by getting arrested after they allegedly beat a man nearly to death - across the street from the Upper Darby police station.
The son, police said, stomped on the victim's head after he was unconscious, allegedly because he had disrespected the son's mother inside Sean Og's Irish Pub, on West Chester Pike near New Street.
Surveillance video from a nearby gift shop shows the 37-year-old Upper Darby resident getting beaten by at least five people, including the mother and son, outside the bar about 2:19 a.m. Saturday, police said.
Once the victim was unconscious, three of the assailants left, but Bonita Carlton, 45, and her son, Rhashad, 25, stuck around. Rhashad stomped on the victim's head at least four more times, Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said.
Upper Darby Officer John News saw the assault and intervened.
"News probably saved the victim from being kicked to death on the streets of our community," Chitwood said. "It's a violent, vicious, sadistic attack."
The victim was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was treated for bleeding to the brain and fractures to his face and neck. He has been released.
Chitwood called Sean Og's, where all the participants were drinking before the attack, a "cesspool and a pit."
"They ought to make it a McDonald's - a drive-through," he said.
Both Carltons were charged with aggravated assault and related offenses, Chitwood said.
After reviewing the video, Chitwood said that he will upgrade the charges against Rhashad to attempted murder.
Rhashad remains in prison on 10 percent of $100,000 bail. His mother was released on signature bail. Chitwood said that he was angry at the district judge for setting low bails.
"I'm going to send him this video for his Christmas gift this year and let him watch it when he sets bails," Chitwood said.
