Woman Now Charged After Southington Domestic Involving Trooper

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The woman involved in a domestic incident at a Southington home with a now-suspended state trooper has also been charged in the case, police said.

Mariah Harper, 41, was charged with second-degree breach of peace Tuesday, according to a report.

Harper surrendered to local authorities after learning of an active warrant for her arrest, police said. She was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond and was to appear in court Wednesday, police said.

Trooper First Class Christopher Russell, 46, was charged with third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, third-degree criminal mischief risk of injury to a minor after the incident, Southington police said.

The booking image of Christopher Russell (SPD)

The incident took place at 8:39 p.m. on Oct. 3 at a home in Southington, according to a police report. State police were called to the scene by local police and troopers seized Russell's police-issued firearms, badge, identification and cruiser, authorities said. State police added Russell's police powers have been suspended and an internal affairs investigation is underway.

Russell has been employed by state police since 2008.

Southington police were alerted to the domestic incident by an anonymous call, the report indicates. Russell is accused of taking a mirror off a wall and breaking it during the altercation, which began while Russell and Harper were attending a wedding and escalated after they returned to the home separately, according to a warrant.

The report shows conflicting stories on how the mirror was broken. It indicates the "victim in the case" may have been hit in the face and had a finger injury; the "victim" also fought with Russell, according to the report. A teenager was present during the fracas.

Russell was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond. According to judicial system records, his case has been referred to a family relations officer. Russell is due back in court on Nov. 5, records show.