Mayor's alleged attacker has no regrets

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Who's the victim? Agawam Mayor Susan Dawson and alleged attacker Celeste Benoit both appeared in court on Thursday, where witnesses of the alleged attack spoke out in favor of the mayor.

Benoit is charged with two counts of assault and battery stemming from an altercation at Max's Tavern in Springfield on April 8th. The altercation is allegedly over a relationship that Dawson is having with Benoit's estranged husband Mark Benoit. Benoit said she witnessed her husband passionately kissing Dawson a year earlier. Mayor Dawson claims that she began dating him only after he and his wife split up. Celeste Benoit says that’s a lie, claiming the couple separated only after she confronted her husband about the romantic encounter.

Mayor Dawson and Celeste Benoit arrived at Springfield District Court just moments apart. Inside the courtroom, three witnesses testified in defense of Mayor Dawson claiming they saw Benoit grab the mayor by the head as she walked out of the bathroom, shake her violently, and throw her to the ground. Witnesses also said they heard Benoit call the mayor a vulgar term.

Benoit's attorney maintains she has nothing to apologize for. "I don't think regret is something I would attribute to Ms. Benoit. However, I would say regret is something someone else in this case should be feeling right now," said Atty. Dan Kelly.

"I'm not so sure it's appropriate to put any regret on a victim of a crime. She was brutally attacked without provocation," rebutted Mayor Dawson's attorney, Tanya Moriarty.

Another uncertainty surrounding the case is the political future of Mayor Dawson. Personal details of the Mayor's life have been revealed to the public and even Dawson's attorney says there is concern for her future in politics. "Trials around here don't happen quickly so of course she's worried it's going to affect her politically...If we can be clear to the public and let them see this for what it was, I think politically, it can save her, actually," said Atty. Moriarty.

22News took the story to Agawam where we asked residents if they thought the very public trial would hurt the Mayor politically. "She is a good mayor and whatever her personal life is shouldn't affect her," said resident Joe Audette. "It used to be that somebody's personal life would have an affect on their job, but today people seem to be more tolerant of things like that," said Phil McGeoghan, another Agawam resident.