The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN AMERICAN woman who bit a police officer, kicked the officer repeatedly in the face and broke the officer’s finger during an incident at Aura nightclub on New Year’s Day has been ordered to pay $1,500 in compensation.

Rachael Reese, 33, of Tampa, Florida, who was represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on charges of disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, assault and causing harm.

At around 3.10am on January 1, WPC 4193 Johnson was dispatched to the Aura nightclub at Atlantis after receiving reports that Reese was being disorderly and had assaulted guard Deonte Charles. Once there, it was said the accused resisted arrest and in the process of fighting back, Reese broke WPC Johnson’s finger.

It is reported that the accused bit the police officer during their altercation and kicked the officer repeatedly in the face.

While Reese pleaded guilty to all charges in court, she initially denied kicking the officer in his face - but later accepted all the facts as stated.

Attorney Maria Daxon, who represented Officer Johnson, indicated to the magistrate that she had video evidence of the incident.

As she awaited sentencing, the accused broke down in tears in court.

Reese’s lawyer then told the court that his client only acted as she had after officers responded aggressively to her questions. He further stated that the accused had also been injured during this incident and had been treated at the hospital.

During his plea of mitigation, Mr Johnson said Reese is apologetic for her actions and acknowledged she had been drinking at the time. The attorney went on to ask the court to exercise discretion in its ruling as a formal conviction could affect Reese’s career as she is herself an attorney in the United States. He implored the court to only reprimand Reese and grant her an absolute discharge for the offence.

In view of her early plea of guilt to spare the court’s time, Magistrate McKinney ordered Reese to compensate the officer $1,500 for causing harm.

Reese was further placed on six months’ probation which if breached in this jurisdiction would carry a $500 fine or a three month prison sentence.

Upon full payment of compensation, Reese was informed that she would be given an absolute discharge.