Bail denied 2nd time in vehicle assault case
A second bail reduction attempt for a Butler woman charged with drunkenly attempting to run over her daughter was denied Tuesday in Butler County Court.
Judge William Shaffer again denied the motion by Shelly Godfrey, 48, who continues to be held in Butler County Prison on $30,000 bail.
Her attorney, public defender Maura Palumbi, explained to the court that a recent drug and alcohol assessment recommended Godfrey attend intensive outpatient treatment, and asked that she be released to live with her mother in Mars and attend those treatment sessions.
Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Simon opposed the motion, saying that the victim, Godfrey's daughter, wanted to address the court, “but was too worked up to be here.”
“She is extremely afraid of her mother,” he said.
Butler police charged Godfrey with felony aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, misdemeanor simple assault, DUI and DUI highest rate, and summary charges of hit-and-run and reckless driving after an incident March 4 on the 500 block of West Brady Street.
Simon said Godfrey's blood alcohol content was 0.185 percent, more than twice the state's legal limit, and video taken by a witness showed Godfrey, before getting into her vehicle, was “extremely violent, striking out at people.”
“We have concerns not only for Ms. Godfrey's safety if she is just allowed to walk out of the prison, but for the victim's as well,” Simon said.
Godfrey testified, saying “I am not a threat to anyone.”
“That whole evening is blown way out of proportion,” she said.
Officers responded to the home after a report of four people arguing, and were told that Godfrey had punched and bitten a Seven Fields man at the house, according to court documents.
Police said the residents told Godfrey to leave and she drove away, but later circled the block and allegedly drove toward the woman, swerving and intentionally trying to hit her, causing the woman to jump out of the way and run back inside.
Godfrey is accused of driving back a second time and hitting a parked vehicle before fleeing. No injuries were reported.
Penn Township police later pulled Godfrey over for speeding and reckless driving on Route 8, according to court documents. Godfrey appeared intoxicated, police said, and she failed field sobriety tests,
She remains in the county prison pending further court proceedings.
