Barrington residents David and Rachel Onik pled not guilty to a variety of charges during their arraignments at the Newport County District Court on Wednesday morning, Sept. 13.
The charges stem from an altercation that occurred in Newport early Sunday morning, Sept. 10 — a small group of people including the Oniks fought with Newport Police officers at Bowen’s Wharf. Multiple videos of the fight surfaced online earlier this week.
According to Newport Daily News, the incident began after the Oniks and others were denied entry to The Landing restaurant and bar. David Onik reportedly became combative with staff at The Landing, who called police to the scene.
After officers responded, tempers flared and multiple people began fighting with the officers; one of the police officers suffered a broken nose during the fight.
In one of the videos, Rachel Onik can be seen grabbing at an officer's gun holster, before the officer spins and strikes her in the face, knocking her to the ground, apparently unconscious.
Inside a crowded courtroom on Wednesday morning, people involved in the incident went before a judge to enter their pleas.
David Onik is charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. He pled not guilt.
Rachel Onik is charged with two counts of simple assault, one count of resisting arrest, one count of obstructing an officer in execution of duty, and one count of disorderly conduct. They are all misdemeanor charges. She also pled not guilty.
Robert Nash, of Marshfield, Mass., is charged with felony assault of police officers and other officials; simple assault or battery, a misdemeanor; resisting arrest, a misdemeanor; obstructing an officer in execution of duty, a misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.
Alexandria Flaherty, of Marshfield, Mass., is charged with felony assault of police officers and other officials; simple assault or battery; and resisting arrest.
Olivia Costello, of Milton, Mass., is charged with simple assault or battery; resisting arrest; obstructing an officer in execution of duty, and disorderly conduct.
A pretrial date for all the individuals involved has been set for Oct. 4.