Merika Hammock, 39, of Blue Bell.
A Blue Bell woman is facing felony aggravated assault charges after she allegedly assaulted her boyfriend, struck him with a bat and commanded her dog to attack him.
According to the criminal complaint, Lower Gwynedd Police were dispatched to a home on Walnut Street at 8:52 p.m. on Oct. 31 for a report of a domestic assault between the caller, 39-year-old Merika Hammock, and her live-in boyfriend. Upon arrival, police conducted field interviews and examined their injuries, and determined that Hammock was the primary aggressor, the report states.
The following day, the victim provided a statement to police saying that he was home in his bedroom when Hammock arrived home after being out with a friend. The couple began arguing verbally, at which point Hammock allegedly punched the victim, and the victim then pushed her away and said that she couldn’t punch him like that, according to the report.
As the victim tried to leave for work, Hammock allegedly followed him with a full-sized aluminum bat, and began throwing his belongings out the front door, the report states. As the victim also began putting his items on the porch, Hammock allegedly swung the bat at him, striking him in the neck, police said. The two then “tussled” inside the home, which resulted in a broken mirror and window, and at that point, Hammock allegedly commanded her dog, Psych, to attack the victim, the report states.
The victim was then bitten in the right chest by the dog, according to the report.
The victim the left the home, but returned after realizing he had lost his phone, police said. Hammock allegedly stated that she did not have the phone, so the victim went to multiple neighboring homes to call 9-1-1, but no one was available, police said. Hammock then threw the victim’s phone from the porch, and smashed it with the bat, according to the report.
As a result of the assault, the victim sustained redness and swelling to the back of his neck, as well as lacerations to his right breast from the dog and scratches to his left elbow. The victim went to Lansdale Hospital, where he was treated for a cervical contusion and a dog bite to the chest.
Merika Hammock was taken into custody at 9:23 p.m. on the night of the incident, and was arraigned the following morning by Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard on one felony count of aggravated assault, misdemeanor counts of simple assault and possession of an instrument of crime, and summary counts of harassment and criminal mischief.
Judge Leonard set bail at $10,000 cash, which was posted by a bail bondsman two days later. Hammock’s next court appearance is a preliminary hearing in front of Judge Leonard on Nov. 8 at 12:30 p.m.
(Editor’s note: All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause, and reflects the point of view of the police. Should the defendant choose to issue a public statement, or is later found not guilty or has the charges dropped, we will update this article accordingly.)
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