City Times Staff

A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for a Stevens Point woman charged with breaking a 72-year-old woman’s wrist and damaging property.

Rachael Howen-Franks, 34, will appear before Judge Robert Shannon on May 31. Howen-Franks faces charges of criminal damage to property, felonious aggravated battery and disorderly conduct. Due to her criminal record she has been designated as a repeat offender on all three charges, which could increase her penalty if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, two female neighbors called 911 around 6:30 PM on Dec. 26, 2015, to report a fight in Howen-Franks’ Walker St. home. When police arrived they saw the two neighbors preparing to leave for the hospital, as one of the women, 72, suffered a broken wrist after allegedly being attacked by Howen-Franks.

The two female neighbors initially went outside to verify the address of Howen-Franks’ residence before calling police to report the fight. According to the complaint, Howen-Franks then emerged from the home, slammed the garage door and shoved the 72-year-old to the ground, also kicking her several times.

Later, a medical exam would determine the woman suffered bruising on her knee, legs and hands as well as a hairline fracture of her radius, as a result of the attack.

Police also interviewed a man who lived at the residence, who said Howen-Franks had broken one of his car windows, as well as his television, PlayStation and other items before she placed all of his property on the front lawn of the home.

When interviewed by police, Howen-Franks said it was the man who caused all the damage to property, but remained silent when asked about her alleged attack on the 72-year-old.

If convicted, Howen-Franks faces up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the charge of aggravated battery, nine months in jail and $10,000 in fines for criminal damage to property, and a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail for disorderly conduct.