A man pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault for allegedly punching a Kent Police officer in the face and hitting her with her flashlight.
Brett Max Barney, 37, of Safford, Ariz., entered his plea Monday in King County Superior Court at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Barney remained Tuesday in the county jail in Seattle with bail denied.
Barney’s also being held for reportedly robbing a convenience store in Olympia on May 27, shortly before he allegedly attacked Kent Police Officer Jennifer Prusa as she investigated a report of a drunk driver on the West Hill. He is scheduled to return to court June 25 in King County, when a trial date could be set or attorneys can ask for more time to prepare the case.
Prusa suffered an orbital floor fracture to her face, a broken nose and a bruised eye that was swollen shut in the May 27 incident, according to court documents. Barney reportedly punched Prusa at least four times in the face and hit her at least four times with the flashlight after she had tried to get him to step out of a house to detain him for investigation of driving under the influence.
Barney wore to his court hearing a King County Jail white jumpsuit with the words “Ultra Security Inmate” rather than the typical red/orange jumpsuit worn by most inmates.
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