Political fight ends in husband's arrest

BRADENTON (FOX 13) - Everywhere we turn we are inundated with political messages and commercials. Some of them can make your blood boil. Others, might fire you up.

But politics seems to have torn a Manatee County family apart.

During an argument about the presidential race, Manatee County Deputies say 78-year-old Lawrence Littman called his wife of 20 years derogatory names, then grabbed her wrist and threw her on a chair in the bedroom.

She told investigators she then went to a bedroom on the other side of the house to get away from her husband but he followed, grabbed her by the arm again, and, according to his 73-year-old wife, he slugged her to the ground.

She also told investigators she hurt her backside when she hit the ground. Deputies said they didn't see any evidence of marks or injuries.

"I am sure this goes on in a lot of households where you have different political views. Fortunately, my wife and I have the same views. I'm sure it happens. In that case, you kind of have to stay away from it," said Dave Bristow with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Lawrence, meanwhile, said the couple was arguing about politics when his wife tried to slap him in the face -- so he shoved her to the ground.  

Either way, Lawrence Littman was arrested for battery on a person over 65. He's free on $500 bond.

According to The Smoking Gun, Lawrence is a Donald Trump supporter while his wife backs Hillary Clinton. 

"It is one thing to maybe get into a friendly argument, but to turn violent you can't have that," said Bristow.

This isn't the first time we have seen a case of battery on an elderly person involving politics.

And just last weekend in Hillsborough County, an Army veteran was attacked at Sam's Club. He said it was because he was wearing a hat reading "Make America Great Again."

"I turned my back to him and suddenly I hear 'boom.' A first or something on the top of my head." the victim, Ricardo Garcia recalled. "I wear this hat because this is what we need. Make America great," 

Patrick Marcus Mickens was arrested in the case. The lesson seems to be: maybe we should all take a second to cool off.

"I think most of the time, cooler heads prevail. Listen, we live in one country here and you think people would be able to set aside your political differences especially if you are married, but things happen," said Bristow.