NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. -- State police charged former Warwick School Committee chairman and lawyer Christopher E. Friel with simple assault and resisting arrest late Friday after an incident at the National Hotel.
State police were called to the hotel overlooking the Old Harbor at 11:29 p.m. on a report of disorderly subject, Capt. James Manni said. A woman pointed out Christopher Macera as the man who had pushed her, knocking her to the floor, he said.
Troopers were trying to get identification from Macera when Friel attempted to intervene, Manni said.
"They asked on several occasions for him to step away. He refused," Manni said. Friel then shoved a trooper with both hands, Manni said.
Friel would not comply with the troopers' efforts to handcuff and arrest him so troopers used a Taser to subdue him, Manni said.
Both men appeared intoxicated, Manni said.
Friel, 38, of 113 Merry Mount Drive, Warwick, was charged with simple assault and resisting arrest, according to the police.
Macera, 41, of 4 Maplewood Drive, Lincoln, was charged with disorderly conduct and simple assault, the police said.
The men, who are friends, were held overnight at the New Shoreham Police Department and taken to the Wickford State Police barracks Saturday morning, the police said. They were released on $2,000 personal recognizance and are due in District Court Aug. 14.
Friel was on the Warwick School Committee for eight years, being its chairman for several years. He chose not to seek reelection to spend more time with his family, according to news reports.