Jury Acquits Malvern Paramedic in Assault Case

A paramedic with the Malvern Fire Company has been found not guilty of aggravated assault and related charges by a 12-person jury, according to Main Line Media News.

Attorneys representing Michael Bernard McMahon argued that he had been carrying out his duties as a paramedic and acting in self-defense when he got into a physical altercation with a Malvern woman in December 2013. The woman, Kathleen Benedict, suffered a traumatic brain injury and collapsed hours later. According to Main Line Media News, she remains under medical care and did not testify.

The report says that McMahon was one of the first responders to an emergency call placed by Benedict’s mother on Dec. 10, 2013. Witnesses testified that Benedict, a diabetic, had a history of violent behavior when her blood sugar got too low, requiring at least 300 visits from emergency personnel.

During the December 2013 incident, Benedict attempted to flee the home, but McMahon tried to keep her from running off, according to the report. She reportedly took a swing at his head, and he tried to block it with his elbow, striking her forehead.

The defense also argued that Benedict told EMTs she was fine immediately following the incident and hours passed before she fainted and was taken to Paoli Hospital. They told the jury that McMahon’s actions could not be conclusively connected to the injury, according to Main Line Media News.