Man, mom charged in brutal beating

UPPER DARBY, Pa. - November 10, 2009

The victim is a 37-year-old man. Police say one of them men beating him is 25-year-old Rhashad Carlton of Upper Darby and that his mother, 45-year-old Bonita Carlton, played a part in the violence.

It happened at 2:15 Saturday morning outside the Sean Og bar on West Chester Pike in Upper Darby. A surveillance camera mounted on a nearby business captured the attack.

The incident reportedly started inside the bar when the victim allegedly disrespected Rhashad Carlton's mother in some way.

The victim is stomped at least a half dozen times and punched. When a good samaritan tries to stop it, he's knocked down, pummelled and kicked. Bonita Carlton can bee seen doing some of the kicking.

The attack continues until Officer John News sees what's happening from the police station parking lot across the street and rushes over. He uses a TASER to get mother and son to back away. Officer News, it turns out, was Upper Darby's 2008 officer of the year.

The victim was left with blood on the brain and broken neck and facial bones.

"The victim in here has to thank God he's alive today," said Superintendent of Police Michael Chitwood,"because he would have been beaten to death right on the highway across from the police station."

Bonita Carlton was released on her own recognizance. Rhashad Carlton is being held on $100,000 bail. Charges against him will be increased from aggravated assault to attempted murder.

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