Crime & Safety
PD: Two Cancer Benefit Walkers, Arguing Over Family, Arrested on High School Track
A fight between two women turned physical, sending one to the hospital, just before a ceremonial walk remembering cancer victims at this weekend's Greater Middletown Relay for Life.
An outdoor cancer benefit during a heat wave this weekend prompted police response after an argument between two city women related by marriage sent one to the hospital with an ear injury.
On June 1 at 8:14 p.m., police were called to the Woodrow Wilson Middle School athletic track about an assault involving Linda Watson, 34, of Inverness Lane and Laurie Hunter, 51, of Long Hill Road during the Middletown Relay for Life, according to the report.
Hunter is married to Watson's cousin, police say, and there were about 100 people participating in the event. The report says after walking a few laps on the course, Watson stopped to speak to her family.
Hunter asked her why she was at the event, the report details, they argued, then Hunter hit Watson on the side of the face with a plastic bag containing candles for a luminary and torch ceremony for family members lost to cancer, hurting her ear. Family members reportedly separated the women.
Explaining to officers, Hunter said Watson ignored the family while walking the track, then, under their team tent, argued with one, according to the report. Hunter told police Watson had "invaded her personal bubble," the report details, and, feeling threatened, swung her arms, hitting Watson's face with the bag of candles.
Watson was subsequently sent to Middlesex Hospital for treatment of her bloody ear. Both were charged with second-degree breach of peace.
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