Two women face jail time for their part in a “chaotic” fight at a birthday party in Norge if an upper court upholds a sentence imposed Thursday.
Latia Monea Robertson, Tamekio Shaniece Braxton and Destiny Braxton were each charged with one count of disorderly conduct.
Robertson and Tamekio Braxton, who each stipulated the evidence would be sufficient to find them guilty, received one-year sentences with all but two months suspended. Both have appealed the ruling, which came Thursday in the Williamsburg-James City County General District Court.
A third woman, Destiny Braxton, pleaded guilty to the charge and received a suspended sentence of six months. She is the daughter of Tamekio Braxton.
All three women originally faced assault and battery charges after officers arrested them in connection with a brawl at a party at Norge Community Hall that broke out around 2:20 a.m. Nov. 29.
Williamsburg-James City County Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Cathy Black said at a hearing Thursday that Robertson and Tamekio Braxton gave “completely conflicting versions of the events,” with the two accusing each other of starting the fight and “jumping” the other one.
Tamekio Braxton, 38, told investigators Robertson, 23, had punched her while she was inside Norge Hall dancing, and then cut her with a box cutter outside of the party, court documents show.
Authorities said Tamekio Braxton received cuts on her mouth, back of the neck and arm, and received stitches for the lacerations. She also accused Robertson of coming to her house looking for her around 3 a.m. after the fight had already ended.
Contradicting her story, Robertson accused Tamekio Braxton of spraying her in the face with pepper spray. Robertson told investigators the mother and daughter “jumped” her and her friends, Black said, adding the scene was “very chaotic.”
Robertson told investigators after the assault inside took place Tamekio Braxton backed her car into Robertson, striking her left hip and upper leg and forcing Robertson to the ground, according to court documents.
Witnesses told authorities a male fired shots in the parking lot of the community hall during the brawl, but James City County Police have not arrested anyone in connection with the shots fired and have received no information about any injuries related to gunfire from the incident.
Destiny Braxton’s attorney Brandon Waltrip said she got “dragged into” the fight unwillingly.
“Neither story has my client striking anyone with intent,” he said.
Williamsburg-James City County General District Court Judge Colleen Killilea said Roberts and the Braxtons needed to “stay away from each other.”
She ordered the Braxtons have no contact with Robertson.
“One of the saddest parts of this case is that your mother dragged you into this fight,” Killilea told Destiny Braxton.
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