By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – On May 3, 2005, three women burst into a Dowagiac home and severely beat a local woman with a metal broom handle, a metal pot and a lamp.
On Oct. 18, 2006, Nicole Shaw, a Benton Harbor resident, was found guilty by a Cass County jury for her participation in the bloody onslaught.
Shaw was convicted of a 20-year offense, home invasion first-degree, and a four-year offense, assault with a dangerous weapon.
Shaw now faces a likely prison sentence for her actions.
The incident took place at 707 W. High St.
The 12-person panel deliberated for three hours Wednesday to determine that Nicole Rae Shaw, 22, had, along with two co-defendants, entered the victim's residence without permission and commenced a brutal beating involving the use of household items, including a lamp, a broom handle and a metal pot, sending the victim to the hospital.
Injuries included swelling to her head, bleeding from the ear and mouth, with more than 10 bruising blows to the chest and back.
The attack in the home went from room to room with furniture being strewn about the home and at least one door broken off its hinges.
The victim ultimately fled the house only to stumble and fall.
At that point the trio beat her further and kicked her about the head and torso.
Testimony presented by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jason Ronning indicated that Shaw played a major role in the beating, including helping co-assailants knock down a door behind which the victim was hiding, and by stealing the victim's shoes off her feet.
Cass County Circuit Court Judge Michael E. Dodge presided over the case, in which the defendant took the stand and claimed that while she was at the house during the beating, she was not involved. However, testimony of numerous witnesses not only placed Shaw in the home, but actively involved in the assault. Testimony was presented during the trial that Shaw had bragged the next day, "I stomped on her head like it was a trampoline."
At the conclusion of the trial Ronning indicated that "we simply will not tolerate physical violence in Cass County. When you enter a home and assault someone you will suffer severe consequences – including prison."
Co-defendants Tasha Brown and Jessica Thomas both pleaded earlier to felony offenses. Brown was sentenced to prison boot camp on May 26, 2006, after pleading to home invasion second and unarmed robbery. Thomas pleaded guilty to home invasion second and assault with a dangerous weapon. Thomas awaits an Oct. 27 sentencing date before Judge Dodge.
The co-defendants also were called by the prosecution and testified during the Shaw trial.
Sentencing for Shaw is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2006.