Newton Police Department
• Latasha R. Harris-Pearson, 21, of Newton, is charged with assault causing bodily injury or mental illness after authorities were called to 101 W. Fourth St. S. at 5 p.m. Thursday. Officers were called on a domestic assault and spoke with the victim who said she was assaulted by Harris-Pearson. She alleged Harris-Pearson grabbed her from behind as she was trying to leave. Officers saw two scratches on her neck. Officers also spoke with a witness who said she had separated the two. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Leah G. Murphy, 24, of Newton, is charged with possession of controlled substance and public intoxication after authorities were called to Arby’s at 6:28 p.m. Monday. Officers were called about a woman acting strange and were told that she approached a vehicle and asked for help getting her kids back and said the bright colors were bothering her. Officers located the woman, identified as Murphy, and she said she was waiting for someone to pick her up, but she did not know who. She continued to have strange behavior, looking around, crying and then acting cheerful and laughing. She first denied taking illegal drugs but admitted she had weed in her purse. Officers did not find it in her purse but there was a small clear bag with marijuana in her backpack. Later, before taking a chemical test, she stated that the test would show marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin. She was transported to Skiff Medical Center for testing and continued saying odd things including that someone was sending her telepathic messages. She was then taken to the Jasper County Jail.