(AP) -- BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) - A woman accused of hitting a Bay City police officer in the face with a shovel has avoided trial by pleading guilty to an assault charge. Jody A. Fullerton was to go to trial Tuesday on five counts stemming from the March 27, 2008 incident. Authorities have said Fullerton struck Bay City police Officer Michael Socia with a metal shovel after he had gone to her home to serve her with a petition for hospitalization and psychiatric evaluation. Socia suffered cuts on his face.
Under a plea agreement, the 52-year-old Fullerton pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to pursue charges including carrying a weapon with unlawful intent and assault with a weapon.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)