Smithfield woman faces trial for shooting mother
Prosecutors withdrew the most serious charge against a Smithfield woman accused of shooting her mother during an argument in Georges Township this past summer. State police Trooper Timothy Kirsch said Rachael Ann Rhome, 25, was charged before Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault.
During a preliminary hearing Friday morning before Magisterial District Judge Jesse Cramer, Fayette County Assistant District Attorney Gene Grimm and defense attorney Diane Zerega negotiated a plea agreement in which the attempted homicide charge was withdrawn against Rhome, but an additional count of aggravated assault was added.
As a result of the agreement, Rhome then waived the two aggravated assault charges to Fayette County Court.
Kirsch said he filed charges against Rhome after she shot her mother, Angela Lynn Baker, 47, in the side during an argument at a residence at 51 Rose Drive in Strickland Estates Mobile Home Park on July 4.
According to Kirsch, the incident began around 9:45 p.m. when Rhome and Baker were arguing. Sometime during the fight, Kirsch said Rhome used a handgun to shoot Baker in the left hip. The bullet traveled through Baker’s leg and then exited the back of her thigh, police said.
He said that after the shot was fired, Tina Strickland, who owns the mobile home park, arrived at the residence and tried to intervene.
Kirsch said Rhome told Strickland to “mind her own business” and pistol-whipped her in the face, causing cuts and bruising.
Rhome then fled on foot, Kirsch said.
Baker was treated at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va.
Cramer reduced Rhome’s bond from $100,000 straight cash to 10 percent of $25,000 bond.