A defense witness, for a woman incarcerated at the state Correctional Institution at Muncy and charged with spitting and throwing what was thought to be urine on a guard, said Thursday in Lycoming County Court that it never happened.
Christine D. Wilson, 30, an inmate who was housed across from the cell of Dawn Marie Ball, 42, in late 2009 at the prison, testified Ball did not spit or toss urine on Mauricia George, a corrections officer at the facility.
George claims Ball refused a food tray being served to her through a port in her cell door on Dec. 2, 2009, and proceeded to verbally assault and spit on her.
"She went into a verbal tirade. She said she would stalk me and kill me," according to George.
Five days later on Dec. 7, 2009, Ball again refused a food tray from George, she said.
"She stated, 'I'm not taking a tray from a (expletive),' " George told jurors.
The corrections officer then was struck with a "stinky liquid" that came through a gap in Ball's cell door, she said.
George was treated at the prison infirmary, sent to Muncy Valley Hospital and missed two days of work due to the incident, she said. Tests for infectious diseases were negative, according to medical reports.
Ball, who is serving up to eight years on a forgery sentence from Northampton County, was charged with a felony count of aggravated harassment by a prisoner, simple assault and harassment in the alleged December 2009 attack on George.
Wilson, who said she is Ball's best friend and confidant, said she saw what happened at each incident, but her version is different from corrections staff.
She said Ball asked for a sanitary napkin from George on Dec. 2 and was rebuffed.
"We don't give pads out to retards like you," Wilson claimed George said to Ball.
Then Wilson said the corrections officer stuck her head in the door port and challenged Ball to spit on her.
"Dawn reacted very maturely and asked to see a (lieutenant)," Wilson said.
She said George's shirt was dry.
"There was nothing on her," she said.
"Would you lie for her?" asked Martin Wade, assistant district attorney.
"No, I would not," responded Wilson.
Jeffrey A. Rowe, Ball's defense attorney, questioned witness Troy Edwards, the prison's superintendent assistant, why no physical evidence from the incidents were preserved, why no video record of the alleged attacks were available and why Rowe's requests for state Department of Corrections documents were met with delays.
The attorney also asked state police Trooper Matthew J. Sweet, investigating officer, if he conducted interviews or collected statements from other staff members or inmates.
Sweet answered that he did not.
Rowe also asked Wilson when she was on the stand what happened when he met her at the prison recently for an interview. Rowe said he and Wilson were interrupted by Edwards during their discussion, who took Wilson aside for a few minutes.
"What impression did he leave you with?" asked Rowe.
"He didn't want me to get involved," she said.
Other corrections officers testified Thursday that Ball was a difficult inmate who often verbally abused staff. According to prison officials, Ball has filed numerous grievances and federal lawsuits against workers.
Rowe asked George if she ever "fired back" at Ball's comments.
"It's my job to take it and be professional," George said.
Additional testimony and closing arguments are expected to take place today before Judge Marc F. Lovecchio.
