Wanda Baucus
Posted on 05/08/2004 8:25:10 AM PDT by Land_of_Lincoln_John
Wanda Baucus and her lawyer say they plan to vigorously fight a misdemeanor assault charge that was brought against her after an argument over mulch at a Washington, D.C., garden center.
"This will not be over until the big bell rings out in the end," the wife of Montana Democratic Sen. Max Baucus said when reached at her Washington home.
The incident between Wanda Baucus and Tierney Augusta Barron took place on April 20 at Johnson's Garden Center. Baucus was charged with simple assault on April 21 and is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court Monday morning.
The main purpose of the appearance will likely be to set a trial date, Baucus' lawyer David Schertler said.
Wanda Baucus said news stories about the case have not been accurate.
"What has been in the press has been all wrong," Baucus said.
According to the arrest warrant, Barron told the police that while garden center employees were loading bags of mulch in her car, Baucus parked her vehicle in such a way that Barron could not pull out. The women "exchanged words" and then Baucus struck Barron, who was seated in her car, in the face, according to the affidavit. When Barron got out of her car, Baucus "continued to strike her upper body several times," according to the affidavit. Barron then grabbed Baucus' wallet to determine her identity, according to the affidavit.
Baucus drove away after the incident and then called police to report an assault. They asked her to return to the garden center and she did, accompanied by her husband.
Police observed a swollen left cheek bone and scratches and redness on Barron's left shoulder blade, according to the affidavit. A nursery store employee and two other witnesses gave accounts of the event that "were consistent" with Barron's account, according to the affidavit.
When asked about the incident, Baucus said, "Try the court cases. She has a history."
Attempts to contact Barron or find court cases related to Barron were unsuccessful.
"Ms. Baucus has a completely different version of events than what the police say happened," Schertler said. He said he was working to corroborate her depiction of the incident.
"We're doing a little bit of our own investigation," Schertler said. "We're interviewing potential witnesses."
Schertler could provide little wisdom on Wanda Baucus' statement about Barron's history.
"I have heard those rumors, too, but I don't feel comfortable enough to talk about it," Schertler said.
Barron has not filed a civil suit against Wanda Baucus, and it is unclear whether she plans to.
"Nobody was seriously injured, so I don't see a civil case coming out of this," Schertler said. "But it is a possibility."
Schertler said both sides would like to wrap up the issue.
"My impression is there is some desire on both sides to get this over with and end the press attention," Schertler said. "If Ms. Baucus was not involved in this, it would not be getting any press attention. A dozen incidents like this take place every day in Washington
Wanda Baucus
No doubt providing a financial incentive to said witnesses to see things from Wanda's perspective.
Whatever Happened to Wanda Baucus?
You just know booze was involved.
Senators Wife on Booze-Fueled Rampage at Garden Center...Film at Eleven.
Based on the rest of the story and Mrs. Baucus' "version" of events, it's clear why the fight erupted over mulch... Mrs. Baucus already was well supplied with fertilizer!
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