LIHUE — A woman who was beaten so badly she was left with a collapsed lung faced her abuser in court Wednesday. Nicole Prichard, 48, was sentenced to one-year probation and ordered to pay $4,267.20 in restitution to her victim
LIHUE — A woman who was beaten so badly she was left with a collapsed lung faced her abuser in court Wednesday.
Nicole Prichard, 48, was sentenced to one-year probation and ordered to pay $4,267.20 in restitution to her victim for beating her, which left the victim with “bruises that covered 80 percent of her body,” after an argument on Feb. 9, 2013.
Prichard, who is of German descent, was originally charged with attempted assault in the first degree and assault in the second degree, but pleaded down two misdemeanors, assault in the third degree, after an offer from the state.
The victim appeared before Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe to make a statement against Prichard and the defense’s motion for a deferral, which the court denied.
“It’s very hard for me to speak about this and to be here right now,” the victim said before the court in tears. “I’m terrified. I’m ashamed. It’s been a hard three years not telling anyone about it and to not feel safe in my surroundings. It’s hard to hold my anger back. For me the biggest thing is the truth.”
The victim described how she met Prichard and how the Kapaa woman told her that “she wanted to sing and dance with children.”
“And she beat me and it’s affected my whole life,” the victim said through tears. “I’m just shaking now trying to speak about it. It’s not OK that this woman can work with children … she did that in front of her child.”
Prichard, with the help of a German translator, thanked the court and said she was sorry for what happened to the victim.
Her defense attorney, Gregory Meyers, said Prichard’s dream was to be able to work with children and “because of this pending matter, she has not been able to obtain a job.”
In February 2013, the victim got into a physical altercation with her live-in nanny, whom she met at a party eight months prior, according to court records. The fight took place in Prichard’s home in front of her child and began after the victim used Prichard’s card to buy groceries without Prichard’s permission.
After the fight, a neighbor saw bruises on the victim’s arms, legs and face and took her to the YWCA shelter. She was then taken to the emergency room at the Wilcox Memorial Hospital. She was treated for a collapsed lung and was admitted to the hospital for several days.
“We are here because she beat (the victim),” said deputy prosecutor Sally Tobin. “She has yet to acknowledge her violence. She should not be working with children. She’s sorry it happened, but not sorry she did it.”
The court denied the motion for deferral and made sure the victim understood the plea offer from the state.
Watanabe also told the victim that Prichard must follow the conditions of probation or she could face up to six months in jail.
“We are very satisfied that in this case we were able to ensure the defendant will have this conviction on her record, face meaningful consequences, and make full restitution to her victim,” said Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar.
Prichard will start paying restitution at $25 a month until she is able to get a job.
