Firefighter denies beating homeless man over slow food order

BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts firefighter has been released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty to charges that he beat up a homeless man for taking too long to order at a restaurant.

Police say 37-year-old Joseph Ward of Boston punched the man in the face five to seven times, kicked him and threw food and a bottle at him outside of Anna's Taqueria in Brookline on Sunday night. Ward is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The victim was taken to the hospital with a laceration to his eyebrow.

Brookline Town Administrator Mel Kleckner says Ward has been placed on administrative leave.

Ward's attorney asked to see video surveillance from inside the restaurant where he believes the altercation started and said there are "multiple sides to every story."