Daniel Prince
Couple encouraged their young children to participate
A couple was arrested Tuesday and charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Sgt. Bryan Shaver was dispatched to Hampton Avenue for a report of a subject that was beaten with a ball bat. Shaver arrived on scene and spoke with a witness who stated he was coming down Hampton Avenue when he saw 26-year-old Derrick Stephon Good and 25-year-old Shenyah Mo-Nea Rice beating a young black male subject in the roadway. The man said Good had a large stick, like a walking stick, and Rice had a ball bat, and they were beating the man in his head and body. He said the man was just lying in the roadway not able to defend himself. The witness stopped and got the man and put him in the back seat of his truck. Shaver went to the truck and found the victim with blood on the back of his neck and head, and a large hematoma on his forehead. Shaver could smell the odor of alcohol coming from the man, who stated he had been drinking with Good and Rice that evening. He said Rice accused him of throwing alcohol at her, but he said he spilled the alcohol. He then said Good became irate and started to fight him inside the house and then threw him out of the house, ending up in the roadway. Another witness stated she heard the pair encouraging their two young children, approximately ages 7 and 9, to join in the fight, and the kids did.
Shaver spoke with Rice, who accused the victim of throwing alcohol all over her and then assaulting her. Good also said the victim had thrown alcohol. Shaver and the other officers could not find evidence to support their accusations. They were arrested and charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, due to the nature of the injuries that could have caused risk of death. They were also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for encouraging the children to join in the assault, which they did. The victim had an active Family Court Bench Warrant, so he was taken into custody, as well. He refused medical treatment, but the jail required him to be checked out before accepting him.