A St. Croix landlord is facing assault charges after she physically struck a police officer during a confrontation at Estate Prospect Hill on Saturday evening.
Nora C. Smith was taken into custody following the incident at Plot #18 Prospect Hill shortly before 5:47 p.m. on November 7. She stood before Magistrate Christopher M. Timmons in Superior Court on St. Croix on Monday for an Advice of Rights hearing. The charges against her include aggravated assault and battery upon an officer, disobeying a lawful order, and disturbance of the peace. A bail amount of $1,000 was imposed.
Police say the trouble started when tenant Danielle Illsley told Smith she was not prepared to leave immediately for a social gathering and intended to drive herself. Smith, who had consumed beer and wine throughout the day, responded by yelling profanities and attempting to grab the entrance gate remote from Illsley's vehicle.
Neighbors Casey Thayer and Shawn Olson reported hearing Smith scream obscenities and use derogatory language across the property. When officers Careeme J. Smith and Njeria Johnson arrived, they detected a strong smell of alcohol and observed Smith acting in a combative manner.
During efforts to separate the two women and gather statements from witnesses, Smith continued making loud outbursts and refused to comply with repeated orders to calm down. Officer Johnson positioned herself between Smith and Illsley. Smith then charged forward and struck Officer Johnson's left shoulder with her body while attempting to reach the tenant. She resisted as officers moved to arrest her, straining and pulling her arms to avoid being restrained. Two pairs of handcuffs had to be linked together to hold her wrists.
While being transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command in Frederiksted, officers heard a loud crash from the back of the police vehicle. Upon arrival at the station, they found Smith had removed her seatbelt, moved her handcuffed hands to the front of her body, and had a deep cut bleeding near her right eyebrow. An ambulance took her to Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital for medical treatment.
At the hospital, Smith continued shouting profanities and upsetting emergency room patients. She moved toward Officer Johnson in the triage area in a threatening manner before officers restrained her again. After her medical discharge, Smith was processed at police headquarters and declined to make a statement. Court records show she has prior criminal convictions.
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