Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced today that a woman from Philadelphia was arrested and charged with the assault of a female news reporter.
According to authorities, Trudy Smith, 23, of Philadelphia, PA was arrested and charged on Aug. 3rd with simple assault following the attack of a media reporter which took place inside a courtroom in Middlesex County Superior Court, during the sentencing of Tejay Johnson.
Officials say the defendant was being led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, the reporter stood to take pictures for the story she was assigned to cover. Smith, who was sitting behind her stood, struck the reporter and began to pull her hair.
Middlesex County Sheriff Officers intervened and separated the parties. Smith was removed from the courtroom and was arrested on a summons.
According to authorities, Smith is due in New Brunswick Municipal Court on August 20th.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charge against Smith is merely an accusation and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.