By: Richard L. Smith
An Atlantic County Judge remanded a domestic violence case alleging an Atlantic City Councilman with two Simple Assault charges back to municipal court On Friday, January 13.
Atlantic County officials said on September 1, 2022, Fourth Ward Councilman MD Hossain Morshed, 48, of Atlantic City, assaulted his wife, L.N., in their Atlantic City home.
Officials said Morshed allegedly grabbed and bent his wife "L.N's" arm, causing her pain.
According to the allegations, he continued to assault her by pulling her hair and striking her in the leg.
L.N. told investigating authorities that the assault caused her to have visible bruising and redness to her left arm. She also complained of pain in her back, arm, and leg.
Officials said she stated that their 12-year-old child recorded the incident on Morshed's work phone. L.N. added that the child attempted to stop Morshed from assaulting her, which caused him to push and smack the child away.
According to a statement released by Atlantic County officials, Morshed was initially charged with the above disorderly person's Simple Assault and a third-degree felony for Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
After a review of all the available evidence, which includes the statement of L.N., and the video provided from the phone described above, Atlantic County officials said a decision was made that, in the interest of justice, the third-degree Endangering charge be amended to a disorderly person's Simple Assault of Morshed's 12-year-old child.
Officials say there is a lack of evidence to support the third-degree Endangering charge.
"The factual basis alleged in the complaint does not meet the criminal elements to prove that Morshed "caused the child harm that would make the child an abused or neglected child" as defined by New Jersey Statute," Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said.
"Disorderly persons offenses are prosecuted in the municipal court system in New Jersey," Prosecutor Reynolds continued.