The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to expel Rep. Carlos Henriquez, who is serving a six-month jail sentence for assaulting a former girlfriend.
Lowell Rep. David Nangle, chairman of the Ethics Committee, encouraged the House to expel Henriquez.
“We cannot lose sight of the fact there is a victim involved," Nangle said. "There is a victim of a violent domestic crime.”
Henriquez was convicted last month of holding down his then-girlfriend and punching her in the chest when she wouldn’t have sex with him. Photos of the bruised body of Henriquez’ victim were available for representatives to view outside the House chamber.
Henriquez was allowed out of jail for the debate and defended himself from the House floor.
“My reputation has been attacked and severely damaged, my livelihood and freedom taken, my character forever called into question," Henriquez said. The truth is I never touched my accuser in any way at any point in time that would result in harm or injury.”
Henriquez went on to say that domestic violence is a cowardly and shameful act. He said the all-white make-up of his jury raised questions about the trial's fairness. And he ended his speech with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right for you'll be criticized anyway," he said.
Before the vote the NAACP sent out a statement urging lawmakers not to expel Henriquez, saying it did not believe House rules allowed for a member to be expelled due to misdemeanor convictions.
Only ten members voted for a lesser punishment — censure — while 146 voted to remove Henriquez from office.
The last time a member of the House was expelled was 1916.
