Was Mario's Mom-Abuse Arrest Due to Her Drug Problems?

Dancing With the Stars alum's attorney blames alleged altercation on her longtime battle with drugs

By Brandi Fowler Oct 03, 2010 3:25 AMTags
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Don't rush to judgment againt Mario.

That's the message from the attorney for the R&B singer and former Dancing With the Stars contestant, blaming his arrest for allegedly attacking his mother on her well-documented substance-abuse issues.

The 24-year-old entertainer was charged with second-degree assault Friday after his mother, Shawntia Hardaway, told police that she feared for her life after Mario pushed her, yelled at her and damaged property in their Baltimore apartment, according to the police report.

But Mario's lawyer, Hassan Murphy, referred to the situation as "an unfortunate incident between a loving son and a mother who continues to struggle with a devastating addiction," in remarks to CNN

"Anyone who has waged the battle to save loved ones from the forces of drugs knows the irrational behavior that almost always accompanies their actions. Despite the allegations, Mario remains committed to supporting his mother," Murphy said.

Mario and his mother previously appeared on the 2007 MTV documentary I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom, which chronicled the singer's struggle to help his mom overcome her heroin addiction. 

At the end of the documentary, his mother decided to enter into a treatment facility in Los Angeles.