Somerville Man Charged With Beating Up Wounded Iraq Vet

A Somerville man was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Tuesday and charged with beating up an unarmed Army veteran, who was wounded in Iraq, in front of the veteran's wife.

James Plunkett, 26, was charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon—a shod foot—according to an announcement from the Suffolk County District Attorney's office. Bail was set at $1,000 and Plunkett was ordered to stay away from the veteran, the announcement says.

According to the DA's office, Plunkett and a second man were urinating near the corner of Charles and Pinckney streets, in Beacon Hill, at around 1:30 a.m. Monday. 

A 29-year-old Army veteran, who was wounded in an explosion in Iraq, walked by with his wife and asked the two men to "put it away" so his wife could proceed, the DA's office said.

According to the district attorney's announcement, the men got into an argument, and Plunkett and his associate followed the couple to their car, where they threw punches at the veteran. When the victim fell to the ground, Plunkett allegedly continued to punch and kick the victim, the DA's office said.

The victim was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital and treated for a broken nose, broken bone in the hand and facial injuries, according to the announcement. His wife, who called 911, was not injured.

The second man involved in the attack may be charged soon, the DA's office said.

Plunkett will next appear in court on Dec. 4.