Video Released In Walmart Assault On Greeter Batavia, N.Y
A Genesee County Judge Thursday released security video in the case of a woman accused of punching a cashier inside the WalMart store on Christmas Eve.
Jacquetta Simmons, 26, faces felony assault charges in the alleged attack on Grace Suozzi, 70.
The video shows Suozzi being punched in the face and falling back to the ground. It was taken by store security cameras.
State Police said Simmons was angry that Suozzi demanded to see her receipt for items she carried in a shopping bag as she checked out.
That is store policy, according to WalMart employees who testified.
In court, New York State Trooper James Vaines testified he responded to the incident last December. Trooper Vaines said, after her arrest, he showed Simmons the security video from the incident.
"I don't know how you're going to justify this,” Vaines testified that he told Simmons . “She just shrugged her shoulders," he said.
"She said she didn't remember what happened, that someone grabbed her” Vaines said. “She just punched."
Friends of Grace Suozzi have been in court to support her, as have supporters of Jacquetta Simmons.
Suozzi's friends tell us she was left traumatized by the alleged attack.
Anita Dziekan says: "She has difficulty being out in public because of it..she has five fractures in her cheek and nerve damage. Emotionally, she's a wreck."
Defense Attorneys claim Suozzi grabbed Simmons, demanding to see a receipt for items in a shopping bag.
Jacquetta Simmons testified in her own defense Thursday. The defense has rested it case.
Attorneys will offer summations Friday and the case could go to the jury after that.
