Trial Begins for Volunteer Firemen Accused of Assaulting Female PG County Firefighter

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — The trial has begun over an ugly incident in Prince George's County back in December 2015 in which male volunteer firefighters are accused of obstructing a female firefighter from doing her job and then assaulting her.

Capt. Christopher Kelly and Jeffrey Miller, firefighters for West Lanham Hills Volunteer Company 28, face charges of second-degree assault, interfering with a firefighter, and misconduct in office after prosecutors say they forcibly removed Prince George's County Fire/EMS Lt. Katherine Johnson from the porch of a home that was burning.

Three witnesses, all career firefighters who responded to the house fire on 75th Avenue in Hyattsville, took the stand on Tuesday, according to a report from WTOP. PG County firefighter medic Samantha Satterfield, one of the witnesses, also claimed she was blocked from entering the home by Kelly.

Defense attorneys are arguing that testimony from Satterfield is inconsistent, and that it was so hazy and dark she couldn't have gotten a good look at what was going on.

Johnson claims she was struck "two or three" times by Kelly on the chest, WTOP reports, resulting in a bruise.

The trial should last into Thursday, according to the report.

Image via Flickr user Chris Potter