Chisago City man charged with fatal Christmas Day assault of hospital security guard
A Chisago City man was charged with murder after authorities say he assaulted a security guard while fleeing a hold in a Wyoming hospital emergency room.
Officials identified the guard as Andrea Merrell, 43. She worked at M Health Fairview in Wyoming and died as a result of the assault injuries, charges say.
Jonathan Chet Winch, 35, was charged Monday with one count of second-degree murder in Chisago County court in connection with her death.
The criminal complaint gave the following details:
About 5:24 p.m. Thursday, police were called to M Health Fairview Lakes Hospital after staff said a man who was on a medical hold in the emergency room pushed through the doors and was running away.
When a police officer arrived he found Merrell lying unconscious near a security vehicle with its emergency lights on in the hospital parking lot. Winch, wearing sweatpants and no shirt, was allegedly trying to get into the vehicle.
When the officer stopped his squad car nearby, Winch jumped on the windshield of the squad car. The officer got out and ordered Winch to the ground. Winch allegedly did not comply and continued to advance toward the officer saying multiple times, “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
The officer struggled with Winch for about five minutes trying to detain him until backup officers arrived and Winch was taken into custody.
Cameras outside the hospital captured footage of Winch and Merrell on the ground near the vehicle before the first officer arrived. The complaint said Winch appeared to be striking or swinging at Merrell while sitting on top of her.
Merrell was taken to Regions Hospital with severe head trauma. She died of her injuries two days later.
During his first court appearance on Monday in Chisago County court, bail was set for Winch at $2 million. The court ordered a competency exam to be conducted while he is in custody.
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