Woman who assaulted CT UAV operator given probabation that concludes with no criminal record or pusnishment

Today, a judge granted "Accelerated Rehabilitation" probation to Andrea Mears. Mears is the 23yr old woman that violently attacked a responsible UAV pilot at a large CT state park back in May 2014. She then lied to the police claiming he attacked her. He had video of the whole event showing she launched an unprovoked attack on him. And it turns out his video from the Iris was so high up and far away, you couldn't make out any of the people on the beach anyway. It was scenery video, not beach babe video.

For those who are not familiar, Accelerated Rehabilitation ("AR") in Connecticut is also know as Probation Before Judgement ("PBJ") in other states. It is not a conviction with a sentence of probation. Instead you are put on probation before trial and judgement. You are on probation for X years with conditions that must be met. If you behave and do not violate any of those conditions, your record will be wiped clean. No record at all. The case is dropped and no record is left.

Mears was given two years of AR, which is rather common in CT. If she behaves for those two years, her record will be wiped clean. She receives no fine, no jail, no punishment, no restitution, nothing. Literally, her "punishment" is that she is not allowed to commit crimes for the next two years.

Personally I think it is pathetic. She violently assaulted an unarmed non-aggressive minor, made false statements to the police via 911, and made false statements to the police in person when they arrived. She attempted to frame him for a crime he didn't commit by claiming he assaulted her. Had it not been for his video, the police would have arrested him for assaulting her. And for this, her punishment is being told not to do that again for two years.

Aerial video:

http://www.courant.com/community/new-haven/hc-new-haven-drone-assault-0710-20140709,0,3673256.story?ncid=newsltuspatc00000010

In my opinion, any person (male or female) that resorts to physical assault without a reasonable expectation of personal harm should serve some jail time.

Obviously, they would need to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Which it was, thanks to the video.
They would also need to prove "reasonable expectation of personal harm". Video clearly shows that she wasn't in any danger. She was trying to detain him until the police arrived.

As for lying to the police, stating that he attacked her. That is false reporting, AND false incrimination. According to Connecticut (CONN. GEN. STAT. § 53a-180) the penalty for false reporting in the first degree is:

No less than 1 year,
nor more than 5 years’ imprisonment;
No more than $5,000 fine

I'm not positive that the context of that sentence pertains to this case though.

She should be wearing orange.

I told my wife about this case, and I asked her the same thing Backlash just asked.

Would the outcome have been different if an adult had physically assaulted a female minor on the beach?

My wife's response, (I sh** you not) was "Yeah, because when a 23 year old male assaults a 17 year old girl and ripps her shirt half off, he'll go to jail for attempted rape."

I hope she screws up her probation. I really, really do.

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Comments

Jesse July 10, 2014 at 9:16am

Double standards.
Moderator

Bill Piedra July 10, 2014 at 9:13am

I think this girl has a real attitude problem and probably won't make it through two years without committing another crime. In the meantime, since she has been convicted in the criminal case, the guy she assaulted has a great chance at winning his civil case. He no longer has to prove he was assaulted (even though he has the video).

If I was him, I'd walk into small claims court and ask for $5,000. He'd win, hands down.
John Baldiga July 10, 2014 at 8:53am
In my opinion, any person (male or female) that resorts to physical assault without a reasonable expectation of personal harm should serve some jail time.
- Obviously, they would need to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Which it was, thanks to the video.
- They would also need to prove "reasonable expectation of personal harm". Video clearly shows that she wasn't in any danger. She was trying to detain him until the police arrived.
As for lying to the police, stating that he attacked her. That is false reporting, AND false incrimination. According to Connecticut (CONN. GEN. STAT. § 53a-180) the penalty for false reporting in the first degree is:

No less than 1 year,
nor more than 5 years’ imprisonment;
No more than $5,000 fine

I'm not positive that the context of that sentence pertains to this case though.

She should be wearing orange.

I told my wife about this case, and I asked her the same thing Backlash just asked.

Would the outcome have been different if an adult had physically assaulted a female minor on the beach?

My wife's response, (I sh** you not) was "Yeah, because when a 23 year old male assaults a 17 year old girl and ripps her shirt half off, he'll go to jail for attempted rape."

I hope she screws up her probation. I really, really do.
T3

Jared S July 10, 2014 at 8:50am

Civil suit?
hotelzululima July 10, 2014 at 8:50am

disgusting that sex based verdicts and "rehab" NOT the victims rights are elevated here.

hzl
Pedals2Paddles July 10, 2014 at 8:28am
You're absolutely right. The case highlights a number of... issues.
- Our criminal justice system is whacked.
- Double standards in society (not just court) that make it ok for a her but not a him.
- Public perception of our hobby
It would be rather comical if she snapped and attacked someone else. I do not know the conditions of her probation. But I'm quite sure that another assault would violate it.
BacklashRC July 10, 2014 at 8:21am

OP, I could not agree with you more.

- Would the outcome have been different if an adult male had physically assaulted a female minor on the beach?

- This woman crying wolf, telling the police that she was assaulted, when the video clearly shows that she was the attacker, does a disservice to women everywhere who are real victims of violence

- How would this young man's life have been permanently altered if he had not made that video? He would have had felony assault charges following him the rest of his life, preventing him from getting a good job.

- Her claim disparages drone users everywhere and perpetuates the stupidity that claims that we are nothing but perverts trying to look down blouses

I had better stop at this point before I have a stoke ;0
james sowell July 10, 2014 at 8:21am

anyone in the area should fly over her she will never make it haha
Josh Potter July 10, 2014 at 8:18am

I'm surprised they gave her such a light punishment for assaulting a minor.
Pedals2Paddles July 10, 2014 at 8:17am

If the roles were reversed, he would have been taken to jail until his parents came to get him and AR wouldn't have been on the table as an option. It is pretty sad.

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