PHOENIX— Kalie Rutledge (D.O.B. 8/13/1993) was sentenced to three years of supervised probation with an initial 90 days in jail for the assault of two Chinese ASU students. The defendant pled guilty to one count of Class 6 felony assault. She will receive credit for 38 days of presentence incarceration, and will be required to pay restitution, and participate in mental health, as well as drug and alcohol screening to address the circumstances of these offenses.
“Though this particular defendant attacked the victims because they were Chinese and speaking in a Chinese dialect, I want to assure the Chinese community that there does not appear to be any pattern of harassment or targeting of individuals in Maricopa County because they are of Chinese ethnicity,” said County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “This office will not tolerate racism or bigotry directed at any victim and appreciates the contributions of Chinese-Americans whether newly immigrated or here for generations, as well as those from China who are here to engage in business or academic studies. Our community is strong because we acknowledge our cultural and ethnic diversity and we are all unified in working to ensure we have a community where we are proud to live, work and raise our families.”
On May 20, 2016, two students, a male and a female, were riding the light rail to Tempe from a Phoenix Mercury basketball game. As the victims were speaking to each other, the defendant launched into a tirade of obscene comments and racial epithets directed at the victims.
When the two victims left the light rail, the defendant ran up to the female victim and punched her in the face, breaking her orbital bone; she immediately fell to the ground. The male victim stepped between the defendant and the female victim. The defendant then swung at his face as well, knocking his glasses off.
The defendant left the light rail station on foot. Nearby witnesses alerted the police who were able to locate her walking away from the area. Witnesses and the victims were able to identify the defendant and an officer also confirmed the victims’ and witnesses’ statements by watching light rail surveillance video.
The State has requested a restitution hearing to address the victim’s current out of pocket costs associated with this offense. The Court will address additional restitution related to future surgical costs as they occur.
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