North Kingstown Woman Ordered To Serve Probation For Assault With Screwdriver

WAKEFIELD – A North Kingstown woman has been ordered to serve probation after pleading no contest in Washington County Superior Court to a charge of using a screwdriver to assault a family member.

Joanne Knapp, 49, now of 86 Asqah Drive, and formerly of 9 Coolidge Ave., North Kingstown, pleaded no contest on March 8 to a North Kingstown police charge of disorderly conduct, which was amended from domestic disorderly conduct. The charge stems from an arrest in July 2010.

Superior Court Associate Justice Jeffrey Lanphear ordered Knapp to serve six months probation, and to complete a mental health program. Knapp was also ordered to pay $90 in assessments, and a no-contact order was enacted between her and a family member, a 47-year-old woman.

According to North Kingstown police reports included in court files, police received a call shortly after 4:50 p.m. on July 16. Police said the victim told them that Knapp had stabbed her in the back with a screwdriver during an argument with Knapp while she was moving out.

Police said when they later interviewed Knapp about the incident, she reiterated her desire to kill the relative. She was arrested at that point.