MIDDLEBURY — A Bristol woman pleaded innocent on Monday in Addison Superior Court, criminal division, to a charge of domestic assault, stemming from an alleged Dec. 10, 2014, dispute with her sister.
Ashley Tatro, 22, faces up to 18 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted on the misdemeanor charge.
Vermont State Police Trooper Evan S. Doxsee said he responded to a report of an “intoxicated person” at a Carlstrom Road home in Bristol on Dec. 10. Police interviewed Tatro, who alleged her sister was drunk and began to say “rude things” to her because she had told her not to play music while she was trying to sleep, according to court records.
“Tatro advised while standing in the kitchen of her residence, she got mad at (the victim), pushed her onto the floor, and punched her in the back of the head,” according to Doxsee’s affidavit.
Police also interviewed the alleged victim, who they said corroborated Tatro’s story, according to court records. Police said they saw “some visible marks” on the victim’s neck and some dried blood on her fingernails, according to court records.
Police said they contacted the alleged victim several days later, at which time she declined to provide a statement and did not want to bring charges against Tatro, according to police records. State police then contacted the Addison County State’s Attorney’s office, which urged authorities to cite Tatro for domestic assault.