Hours after exchanging vows on a Florida beach, a newlywed couple was arrested after they got intoxicated and began battering each other inside a 
hotel room, police report.
Daniel Gillen, 61, and GeGee Riposta, 49, were married Sunday on Clearwater Beach. The couple is seen at right in a wedding photo.
According to arrest affidavits, Gillen and Riposta subsequently “became intoxicated” and “were arguing throughout the day.” Matters subsequently turned violent inside the couple’s room at the Clearwater Beach Hotel, police charge.
Gillen told cops[1] that Riposta “physically started to attack him by scratching him on the chest.” Gillen “had noticeable scratch marks and injury to his torso which was consistent with his statements,” investigators noted.
Riposta said that[2] Gillen grabbed her by the neck and pushed her to the ground. Riposta’s claim was supported by “noticeable scratches and scrape marks on her knee,” police reported.
Gillen was arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery and was later released from custody on his own recognizance. Since Riposta had a prior battery conviction, she was charged with felony battery (and had to post $500 bond to get out of jail).
A judge has ordered the newlyweds (seen in the below mug shots) to have no contact with each other. Court filings list the couple’s residence as a home in Davenport, a city about 90 miles inland from Clearwater Beach.
References
- ^ Gillen told cops (www.thesmokinggun.com)
- ^ Riposta said that (www.thesmokinggun.com)