East Boston man charged with savage beating of girlfriend

Paul Morani, 23, was arrested this weekend on a variety of charges related to a July 30 beating that left his Revere girlfriend with "multiple fractured ribs, a swollen face, and blood streaked across her left wrist," the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

Chelsea District Court Judge D. Dunbar Livingston set bail at $10,000. Suffolk County prosecutors had asked for bail for $75,000 for Morani, whom they said was tracked as far away as Las Vegas before returning to Revere, where he was arrested at a Comfort Inn on American Legion Highway.

The DA's office reports the beating began the morning after the victim had broken his cell phone in an argument:

That morning at about 8:00, Morani allegedly called her demanding $200 and threatening violence if she did not give it to him. Morani's mother allegedly drove him to the victim's home, where he demanded the victim's phone during a conversation in her back yard.

When the victim refused to give him her phone, Morani allegedly drew a large knife and began punching her in the face. He allegedly struck her in the head with the butt of the knife and cut her wrist with the blade. When she fell to the ground, he allegedly began kicking her in the torso and stole her cell phone. When Morani's mother got out to see what was happening and check on the victim, Morani allegedly got into her car and drove from the scene. He returned a short time later, picked up his mother, and allegedly told the victim that he would continue to beat her "until I get my money."

Several days later, prosecutors allege, Morani called the victim at work repeatedly and posted messages to her Facebook account.

Innocent, etc.