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Case involving assault of police officer will be sent to a grand jury
BOARDMAN
The case of a Boardman woman purportedly assaulting a police officer will go before a grand jury, as Melissa Riddick waived her right to a preliminary hearing in court Tuesday morning.
Riddick was arrested at her apartment Sept. 20 in the 80 block of Carter Circle after purportedly biting her 12-year old son, threatening to kill an officer and kicking an officer.
Township police responded to a call about 5:30 p.m. that day, in reference to a woman who was “out of control, intoxicated, and fighting with her children,” according to a police report.
There, officers met her 12-year old son, who had a bite mark on his arm that he said was from his mother.
He told officers she also was fighting with his 22-year-old brother.
When officers made contact with Riddick, she reportedly assumed a “fighting stance” and threatened to kill one of the officers.
While being restrained by officers, Riddick tried to strike an officer, then bite one.
After being placed in a police cruiser, she repeatedly struck her head against the partition.
When officers tried to transport her to an ambulance for the head injuries sustained in the police cruiser, Riddick reportedly kicked an officer and then tried to kick another officer.
Riddick was taken directly to the Mahoning County jail, from which she was released Sept. 22.
Riddick was charged with a felony count of obstructing official business and two felony counts of assault on a police officer.
She also was charged with two counts of domestic violence, one of resisting arrest and one of aggravated menacing, all misdemeanors.
Riddick pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges at an arraignment hearing Sept. 23.
Assistant county prosecutor Mike McBride said he did not plan to offer her a plea deal when she came back to court Tuesday.
Her case should go to a grand jury in the next four to six weeks, McBride said.