A 30-year-old Brainerd woman who allegedly assaulted police officers and an emergency care nurse faces criminal charges.
Michelle Lynne Niesen was charged Tuesday, Aug. 24, with two felony counts of fourth-degree assault — for assaulting a police officer and an emergency personnel person — and gross misdemeanor of obstructing the legal process.
The charges stem from a domestic disturbance at 2:25 a.m. Aug. 21 on Laurel Street in Brainerd. Brainerd police officers arrived at the scene and saw Niesen sitting on the ground near the road. Officers spoke with her and she began shouting and hollering profanities at them and appeared to be having a medical type episode, according to the criminal complaint filed against Niesen. Officers spoke with a person inside the residence who stated Niesen had been staying with them for the last couple of days and she was told she needed to leave. She then held a razor blade to her throat and threatened to harm herself, the complaint stated. Officers again spoke with Niesen and she ultimately turned over to them a box cutter type knife. She continued to yell and shout profanities. She was then told she was being placed on a 72 hour hold. Officers grabbed her arms and she began to physically resist. She then began kicking at the officers and kicked one officer in the right leg two times.
ADVERTISEMENT
The woman was transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. Once at the hospital, Niesen spit at an emergency room nurse on the right side of her face, cheek and hair. She also spit at another officer on his external vest carrier.
A motion was filed for Niesen to be examined for a Rule 20 to determine her medical condition and whether she is mentally ill or deficient. The examiner will also make a ruling on her capacity to understand the criminal proceedings and whether she presents an imminent risk of serious danger to another person, is imminently suicidal or if she needs emergency intervention.
The matter will be determined at a court hearing scheduled Oct. 20.
