Photo: Tasheena Marie Lumley Bartelli
A Briarcliff woman accused of participating in the beating of a man who was a potential suspect in a case involving her niece as victim appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
Thirty-three-year-old Tasheena Marie Lumley Bartelli entered a not guilty plea to the charges against her and was ordered to reappear in circuit court July 23.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Bartelli sent the beating victim a message on Facebook in early October last year saying she was in the area for only one night and wanted to meet new friends and have a beer.
Even though the man said he did not know the woman who sent the message, he agreed to meet her at the Dollar General Store on Arkansas Highway 5 south. After the two met, the man followed Bartelli to the George’s Cove area on Lake Norfork.
Once the victim and Bartelli parked and got out of their vehicles, two males dressed in black clothing, with ski masks covering their faces, are alleged to have attacked him.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim had no way of calling for help. Before the attack, Bartelli was alleged to have asked for the victim’s cellphone to “take some pictures” of the area. One of the men also went into the victim’s vehicle and took the keys.
The victim told investigators he had been hit a number of times with a metal pipe. He said one of the attackers finally asked if he “had had enough.” The victim answered in the affirmative, and Bartelli and the two men got in her vehicle and left the scene.
Deputies became involved when reports came in of a man in the Sycamore Springs Road area near George’s Cove banging on the doors of homes.
He was said to have been yelling that he had been mugged and asking for help. The victim was taken to Baxter Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
A warrant was issued for Bartelli in March. She turned herself in May 28.
The two male attackers have not been identified.
Bartelli has been charged with aggravated robbery which is a Class Y felony, the most serious crime classification in Arkansas not punishable by death, a felony count of battery in the second degree; and misdemeanor counts of theft of property and interfering with a communication device.
She is free on $50,000 bond.
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