Woman sentenced to four years for attack on HS police officer

Atkinson
Atkinson

A Hot Springs woman was sentenced to four years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to attacking a Hot Springs police officer who responded to a disturbance call last summer.

Deidre Nicole Atkinson, 39, who has remained in custody in lieu of $5,000 bond since her arrest, pleaded guilty in Garland County Circuit Court to a felony count of second-degree battery and in addition to prison time was ordered to pay $400 in restitution. Court costs and fees were expunged for time served.

According to the affidavit, on June 4, 2016, around 11 p.m., police officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment at 2410 Central Ave. and upon arrival observed a loud disturbance in the breezeway.

Officer Clifford Rushing and Cpl. LeeAnn Zaner made contact with Atkinson, who was screaming profanities and grabbing a male, who was blocking an apartment door.

Atkinson refused to step away from the door as instructed so Zaner grabbed her in an attempt to separate her from the male. Atkinson pulled her arm away, stating, "Don't touch me b - - - - !" Zaner grabbed her arm a second time and told her, "come here."

Atkinson punched Zaner in the right side of her face, knocking her glasses to the ground. She then grabbed Zaner by the hair and left arm, refusing to let go of her as she dug her fingernails into her skin. Zaner grabbed Atkinson by the shoulders and placed her on the ground.

Rushing grabbed Atkinson's arm to pull her off Zaner, who was able to hit Atkinson in her upper body and place her knee in her side so they were finally able to take her into custody.

Zaner had bruising on the left inside of her forearm, a cut on the inside of her right palm, minor swelling on the right cheek and a knot on her scalp.

Contact was made with Atkinson's daughter, who stated she had allowed Atkinson to stay at her residence for the past several days. The two women were in an argument when Atkinson grabbed her daughter by the hair and punched her in the head causing a small laceration to her forehead.

In addition to the felony battery charge, Atkinson was also charged with misdemeanor counts of third-degree domestic battery and disorderly conduct, but those charges were adjudicated by time served since her arrest.

Local on 08/15/2017

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