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Phippen-Oconnell
LUDINGTON — The woman who is accused of assaulting a township clerk and then resisting arrest at a polling place on Election Day has a criminal history of assault. Muzette Elizabeth Phippen-O’Connell, 52, of Hamlin Township, is facing two felony charges of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer along with misdemeanor charges for an election law polling place violation and assault and battery following her alleged conduct during voting at Hamlin Township Hall Tuesday, Nov. 5.
According to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, the incident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at the township hall, 3775 N. Jebavy Dr. Mason County sheriff’s deputies were called to the hall “regarding a reported assault that involved the allegation of the Hamlin Township clerk being shoved,” said Sheriff Cole. “Deputies learned from interviewing those involved, a 52-year-old Hamlin Township female entered the Hamlin Township Hall to vote. The suspect reportedly was wearing a presidential political candidate’s hat. When asked to remove the hat, the suspect became irate, refusing to take the hat off and started recording people at the polling location. At one point, the township clerk (Catherine Lewis) was shoved backwards, into another township employee.
“The suspect then left the building, but returned while deputies were on scene,” said Sheriff Cole. “During the arrest, the suspect refused to comply while being handcuffed and struggled with deputies.”
In Michigan, wearing clothing that promotes a campaign or candidate, or sharing campaign materials near a polling location is a misdemeanor, but poll workers typically ask people to remove items before taking official action.
Michigan election inspectors have the “full authority to maintain peace, regularity, and order” in the polling place, and to “enforce obedience to their lawful commands during any primary or election and during the canvass of the votes after the poll is closed,” according to information from the Michigan Secretary of State’s office
In September 2019, O’Connell was arrested and charged with felony charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and assault with a dangerous weapon. The charges stemmed from a stabbing that took place at a residence in the 6600 block of West Basswood Street, on Sept. 8, 2019. O’Connell allegedly stabbed a 31-year-old woman causing minor injuries.
Assault with intent to do great bodily harm is punishable by imprisonment up to 10 years and/or a $5,000 fine while assault with a dangerous weapon is punishable by imprisonment up to four years and/or a fine of $2,000.
According to Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand, who was not the prosecutor at the time, O’Connell accepted a plea bargain of a one count felony charge of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to serve 15 days in jail with 12 months discretionary jail time.
Bail for the current charges was set by the Mason County magistrate at 10% of $500. A preliminary hearing scheduled in Mason County’s 79th District Court at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
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