Providence Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman
Melissa Lawrence of 365 Public St. pleads not guilty to two felony assault charges in Providence District Court Wednesday.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The mother of a teenage girl who was shot on Sunday was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on two felony charges accusing her of assaulting a reporter and a photographer for WLNE-Channel 6 television.Melissa Lawrence, 35, of 365 Public St. appeared before District Court Judge William Clifton and not guilty pleas were entered on her behalf. Clifton released her on $50,000 personal recognizance, meaning that she was free to leave provided that she appears for her next court date on Aug. 8.
Lawrence, who was handcuffed, wore a pink t-shirt with the message, ``My Attitude is Your Problem.''
Clifton ordered her to have no contact with the reporter, Abbey Niezgoda, 24, and photographer, Marc Jackson, 43. She is accused of siccing two pit bull terriers on Niezgoda, who suffered a puncture wound to her arm, and striking Jackson with a rock. They had stopped by Lawrence's house on Tuesday to do a story on her daughter, Ny' asia, who was shot on Sunday night.