A Schuylkill County woman is facing an aggravated assault charge after an alleged street fight in which she reportedly caused another woman to suffer a brain bleed and multiple skull fractures.
Police in Tamaqua say they responded to Mundy’s Pub on March 8 a little after 3 a.m. for a report of two women fighting in the street. Upon arrival, police say they found the victim on the ground foaming from the mouth, while another person held her up and attempted to clear her airway so she could breathe.
A witness reportedly told police he was standing approximately 20 feet away across the street when he observed Autumn Hall, 29, of Tamaqua, and the victim engaged in a verbal altercation alongside an unknown male. According to the witness, the victim said something to Hall, prompting Hall to run over, grab the victim by the head, and punch her in the face with a closed fist five or more times. The witness told police the final punch caused the victim to lock up, go limp, and fall to the ground, striking her head loudly on the sidewalk. Hall then left the scene in a white sedan, the witness said.
EMS personnel rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, police say. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later transferred to a hospital in Bethlehem. The victim later told police she remembered drinking at local bars and walking back to Mundy’s Pub, but had no memory of the altercation. Police say her injuries included multiple skull fractures, a brain bleed, a fractured elbow, a black eye, and injuries requiring multiple staples in her head.
Hall later arrived at the police station accompanied by the individual who initially called police to the scene. Police say Hall exhibited slurred speech, glassy and bloodshot eyes, and an odor of alcohol. After being advised of her rights, Hall requested an attorney and declined an interview, though police say she admitted to being in the altercation and stated she acted in self-defense.
That evening, a third witness who had stayed at the scene to render medical aid to the victim arrived at the police station. This witness provided police with a screenshot of a message allegedly sent to her by Hall. In the message, Hall thanked the witness for staying with the victim and wrote, verbatim according to police, “I’m so remorseful m I never meant to hurt her she started getting crazy with my friends taking off her jacket wildin out,” according to police.
Hall was arraigned on Wednesday morning before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer and charged with a first-degree felony count of aggravated assault, misdemeanor counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct, and summary counts of public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and harassment. Bayer set unsecured bail at $10,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 7.
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