Following the release of a video recorded on a phone and a police investigation, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier has recently been charged with assault and lying to police. The charges are related to a physical altercation that occurred involving two other females in the city of Flint.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on April 8, a hit and run happened in the area of Carson Street and Floyd McCree Drive, near the Schafer Square Apartments.
Upon arrival, police observed a U.S. Postal Service mail truck with front end damage and made contact with its driver, Trista Paige Newton, age 29, a mail carrier.
According to the police investigation, Newton initially stated that her mail truck was hit by another vehicle and then the driver and passenger got out of their vehicle and began assaulting Newton. Police observed that Newton had two black eyes and multiple red scratches and abrasions around her neck and face.
A video recorded on a phone by a witness was later posted to social media and showed Newton and two women in their early 20s fighting in the street. Police were able to identify the two women involved and conducted an investigation including interviews with the subjects involved and other witnesses.
Upon completion of the police investigation, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton authorized charges against Newton for lying to a peace officer, a 2-year misdemeanor and assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor.
“This is a perfect example of how a situation may not be exactly what it looks like at first glance,” Leyton said after announcing the charges.
“A lot of people were immediately calling for charges against the two young women involved when, in fact, according to the police investigation, they were the victims,” Leyton added. “As prosecutor, it is my responsibility to carefully review the evidence, determine the facts as best I can, and apply the law fairly in the best interests of justice. Jumping to conclusions and quick, rash judgments about a situation rarely serves justice well.”
Newton will be arraigned in 67th District Court in Flint.
Please Note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilt
