Man Battered Boyfriend With Singing Fish

APRIL 23--A Florida man was arrested yesterday after allegedly striking his boyfriend in the head with a Big Mouth Billy Bass, the novelty singing fish, police report.

Officers were called Sunday afternoon to a residence in Sebastian in connection with a reported domestic battery. Upon arriving at the home, cops found Larry Timmerman with a laceration on his head, an injury the victim said was caused by a Big Mouth Billy Bass thrown by Gregory Carney, 54.

In interviews with Timmerman and Carney, cops determined that the men--who have been domestic partners for 17 years--had been quarreling earlier in the day. At one point, Carney went into the den and began playing with his singing fish. Timmerman said that Carney “continued doing this just to aggravate him.”

After having to endure several Big Mouth Billy Bass performances, Timmerman, 52, “removed the singing fish from the room and placed it in the trash.” When Carney discovered the novelty item was missing from the den, he quizzed Timmerman on its whereabouts.

When Timmerman responded that Billy Bass was now in the trash, Carney became angry. Carney then fished the singing fish from the garbage and threw it at his boyfriend, cops allege. The item struck Timmerman in the head, causing a laceration.

Carney, seen above, admitted throwing the singing fish, but said that he “did not aim for Larry and struck him in the head on accident.” Carney was subsequently arrested for domestic battery, a misdemeanor, and booked into the county jail. Now free on $500 bond, he is scheduled for a May 15 arraignment.

Timmerman declined medical treatment for his injury.

An arrest affidavit does not indicate whether cops confiscated the Big Mouth Billy Bass as evidence. As seen below, the Big Mouth Billy Bass performs excerpts from the songs “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and “Take Me to the River.” (1 page)