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Daishonta M. Williams, 29
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Court records reveal new details of assault on Pittsburgh teacher

Allegheny County Jail

Court records reveal new details of assault on Pittsburgh teacher

The Pittsburgh King PreK-8 School teacher who was attacked on the North Side Wednesday told police that after a woman threw a brick into her face, the woman’s boyfriend joined in the attack.

Police believe Daishonta M. Williams, 29, threw a brick at teacher Janice Davis Watkins, 46, while the teacher was stopped in traffic on the West End Bridge around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.

The teacher told police that Ms. Williams pulled her from the car and that her boyfriend joined in the fight. Ms. Watkins said Vincent Beasley, 26, pulled her hair, punched her and kicked her, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday against Mr. Beasley.

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He was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, conspiracy and stalking. Ms. Williams, who was arrested the day after the incident, also faces aggravated assault charges.

Daishonta M. Williams, 29, and her boyfriend, Vincent Beasley, 26.
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Police believe she followed Ms. Watkins from the school and attacked her because of the school’s handling of an altercation between her daughter, a student at the school, and Ms. Watkins.

Ms. Watkins told police that after she was hit in the face with the brick, Ms. Williams pulled her from the car and began to “violently fight” with her. She said Ms. Williams vowed to “tear that lace front right out of her head,” according to the affidavit.

Ms. Watkins said a man, later identified as Mr. Beasley, then began to punch her, kick her and pull her hair. She said Mr. Beasley then pulled the two women apart and left with Ms. Williams.

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Ms. Williams said, “[Expletive], I told you I was gonna get you,” as she left, Ms. Watkins told police, according to the affidavit.

Mr. Beasley’s attorney, Al Burke, told police that his client was only trying to break up the fight and said he did not participate in it, according to the affidavit. Mr. Burke could not be reached for comment.

Ms. Williams is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in City Court, Downtown, on Nov. 2.

Her bail was revoked Tuesday. She is scheduled to have a full hearing on the issue, at her attorney’s request, on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh King teacher Janice D. Watkins, 46, waits to enter a courtroom in City Court for a preliminary hearing Thursday.
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Woman accused of attacking Pittsburgh school teacher held for court

Shelly Bradbury: 412-263-1999, sbradbury@post-gazette.com or follow @ShellyBradbury on Twitter. 

First Published: October 24, 2017, 3:25 p.m.

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Daishonta M. Williams, 29  (Allegheny County Jail)
Allegheny County Jail
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