Taxi Passengers Accused Of Beating, Robbing Cabbie Who Wouldn't Speed

BOSTON (CBS) – A pair of impatient passengers are facing charges for allegedly beating and robbing a cabbie who refused to speed to get them to their destination.

Kristy Morgan, 28, and Robert Chamness, 32, both of East Boston, were arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Tuesday on charges related to the incident.

The Suffolk District Attorney's Office reported that the couple got into a Tunnel Taxi about 10:50 a.m. Friday at the Maverick MBTA station in East Boston.

According to prosecutors, Morgan paid the driver $30 to take them to Boston Medical Center and told him to hurry up to get them to BMC by 11 a.m.

When the cabbie refused to speed to get them to the South End hospital in 10 minutes, the woman allegedly reached from behind the driver's seat to scratch his face, prosecutors said. Chamness then allegedly punched the cabbie in the neck and at the base of his skull.

Prosecutors said the driver's glasses were broken during the assault.

According to the DA's office, Morgan and Chamness demanded their $30 back but when the frightened cabbie pulled about $45 in cash from his pocket, Morgan allegedly grabbed the stack of bills and the couple fled the cab.

The next morning, the cabbie identified the pair as his assailants after Boston police officers saw them in the area of Meridian and Liverpool streets.

Prosecutors said that as police placed both under arrest, Morgan kicked and elbowed officers.

Both face charges of unarmed robbery, malicious destruction of property over $250, and assault and battery.  Morgan is also charged with resisting arrest and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

They were both released on personal recognizance and will return to court Oct. 16.

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