Dem. ward leader charged with hitting professor

Kevin Fassett, a Democratic ward leader, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly hitting Anesthesia Professor Frank Cornett on his way from a polling area on campus, according to Philadelphia Police.

Fassett was charged with a misdemeanor -- simple assault -- and reckless endangerment of another person, Officer Maria Ibrahim said.

She added that the arrest "happened on the 5th" although the assault occurred the day before.

Ibrahim explained that Fassett turned himself in and she did not "think" he was still in police custody. She said that his next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 29.

Last Wednesday, Cornett was hit in the face outside of a polling area in David Rittenhouse Laboratory, located on the corner of 33rd and Walnut streets.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m., after a period of discussion between Cornett and Fassett.

Following the incident, Cornett said that after he exited the voting facility he saw a man covering Katz posters with Street posters. He explained that he went over to the individual, allegedly Fassett, and told him it was inappropriate to do so. Cornett said the man then answered he could "put them up wherever he wanted."

He explained that after that he went back into DRL to tell poll watchers what was going on, and when he went outside, the man -- with three witnesses looking on -- hit him with an open hand.

Cornett said that he had not expected the interaction to lead to anything physical.

"I was shocked," he said. "I didn't think this guy was going to hit me and it seemed way out of proportion to the situation."

Philadelphia Police Inspector Bill Colarulo said last week that Cornett was taken into the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and treated for lacerations.

Cornett said that his recovery is going nicely.

"Oh yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Cornett said. "My cheek is healing and the pain has diminished."

Cornett added that he was not surprised that the alleged assailant was some sort of an election official.

"All I knew was he was putting up signs for Street so I figured he worked for the campaign in some capacity, and I didn't know what capacity," he said.

Still, Cornett added that he was surprised by the leniency of the charges.

"My understanding was the police were going to charge him with aggravated assault," he said.

Fassett could not be reached for comment.

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