Officials: Woman Found Guilty of Punching ER Nurse while Drunk, on Drugs

ATHENS � A Henderson County jury has found Lola Amelia Thompson guilty of assault on emergency service personnel. KETK reports Thompson, 38, formerly of Kemp, had been indicted for punching an ER nurse at East Texas Medical Center in Athens. Thompson could get up to ten years behind bars.

According to authorities, On July 25, 2012, Thompson was taken to the emergency room by family members after she had become severely intoxicated and attempted to cut herself. Eyewitness testimony detailed a struggle to get Thompson medical attention that she reportedly needed but did not want. A family member drove Thompson from her home, where evidence indicated that she had ingested a gallon of whiskey, taken a large number of prescription pills, smoked marijuana, and consumed amphetamines/ methamphetamine. Thompson then cut her forearm and was in need of sutures, according to officials.

When an attempt was made by a family member to unload Thompson just outside the ETMC emergency room at the breezeway, she instantly became combative and violent, according to testimony. Officials say Thompson then head-butted a family member, breaking his nose. Thompson reportedly continued her violent rampage and then targeted the hospital�s staff. Testimony indicated Thompson struck an ETMC emergency room charge nurse in the face 4-5 times with a closed fist. A member of the ER staff reportedly had to pull Thompson off the nurse.

Sgt. Jason McEntire and Officer Dustin Cook arrived on scene and attempted to detain Thompson. Law officers say it ultimately took three officers to restrain Thompson, who reportedly continued to punch, kick, and scream. Thompson would later be sedated by medical personnel so that she could be treated and cleared to leave the hospital, according to authorities. An emergency room physician testified at trial that it took nearly three times the normal amount of sedation required for an average person to get Thompson to a treatable state. A sentencing hearing has been set for March 18.