LIHUE — Sentencing has been set in the case involving a Kapaa woman who left her nanny so badly beaten and bruised, she spent several days in the hospital being treated for a collapsed lung. Nicole Prichard, 48, pleaded no
LIHUE — Sentencing has been set in the case involving a Kapaa woman who left her nanny so badly beaten and bruised, she spent several days in the hospital being treated for a collapsed lung.
Nicole Prichard, 48, pleaded no contest with a motion to defer before 5th Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe Oct. 7 and was found guilty of two counts of assault in the third degree.
She will be sentenced Jan. 13.
Prichard was originally charged with attempted assault in the first degree and assault in the second degree, but pleaded down after an offer from the state.
On Feb. 9 2013, Prichard got into a physical altercation with her live-in nanny, whom she met at a party eight months prior, according to court documents. The fight started after the victim used Prichard’s credit card to buy groceries without Prichard’s permission.
After the fight, a neighbor noticed the victim had bruises all over her arms, legs and face and immediately took her to the YWCA shelter, where she was then taken to the emergency room at the Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
She was treated for pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung, and was admitted to the hospital for several days.
Prichard, who is originally from Germany, was arrested on Feb. 22, 2013, but was released on bail.
Prichard denied the assault, claiming at one point the victim’s injuries happened when she fell off a farm vehicle or were self-inflicted, according to court records.
Court records show Prichard was examined by doctors for possible mental health issues due to several personal factors in her life but was found fit to proceed with the case.
The maximum imprisonment and fine for third-degree assault is one year and $2,000.
The prosecuting attorney’s office declined to comment until sentencing. Prichard’s defense attorney, Gregory Meyers, also declined to comment.
