Woman Pleads Guilty in Morgan County Officer Assault Case

In Morgan County Circuit Court on December 8, 2025, Demondra L. Harris entered a guilty plea to a single count of aggravated battery to a peace officer, a Class 2 felony. The charge arises from an incident on July 3, 2022, at the West Morgan Depot, when Harris, then 23 years old, allegedly threw a glass bottle that struck an officer in the face while officers were investigating a hit and run.

The plea agreement filed in court resulted in the dismissal of additional charges tied to the matter, including a 2022 disturbance charge and a 2024 traffic violation. Harris is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2026. The case resolves a matter that has been pending in the county court system for more than three years, a timeline that will draw attention from residents concerned about timely resolution of cases involving threats to law enforcement.

Assaults on peace officers are treated as a distinct prosecution priority because they implicate officer safety and the ability of police to perform investigations without escalation. The guilty plea will allow the court to consider sentencing under statutes applicable to a Class 2 felony, and the March hearing will determine the court imposed penalties and any conditions such as restitution or supervised release.

The disposition also raises questions about prosecutorial decision making in plea negotiations. Dismissal of related charges as part of a plea agreement is a common prosecutorial tool to secure a conviction, but it can create tension between victims seeking full accounting of all alleged conduct and the state interest in efficient resolution. Local officials will face public scrutiny over how such agreements balance accountability, public safety, and court resource management.

For Morgan County residents, this case highlights the interplay between community safety and the criminal justice process. The sentencing hearing on March 3, 2026 will provide finality and an opportunity for the court to explain the sentence imposed. Observers and those affected by the July 2022 incident can follow the proceeding in Morgan County Circuit Court, where the outcome will shape local discussions about law enforcement protection and prosecutorial transparency.