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A woman who got into a physical altercation last August with the Duchesne County recorder at the county's administration building sparked the fight by making a call on her cell phone, according to court documents filed Thursday.
Cell phone use is prohibited in the county recorder's office in order to maintain a quiet atmosphere and to prevent people from taking pictures of documents to avoid paying fees to the county.
The Aug. 31 altercation began when an employee approached Kellie Kinghorn and pointed to a sign prohibiting personal calls in the office, according to a court document detailing Kinghorn's plea agreement in the resulting criminal case.
Kinghorn became "very upset and began yelling" at employees, according to the court document. Kinghorn went to another room, but returned to the recorder's office and again began yelling at employees, this time using profanity, the court document states.
Duchesne County Recorder Shelley Brennan then arrived and told Kinghorn several times that she needed to leave the office, but Kinghorn remained and began "arguing loudly" with Brennan, "which resulted in a physical altercation," the court document states.
On Thursday, Kinghorn, 54, of Midvale, pleaded guilty as charged to one count of class C misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
If she pays a $300 court fee and incurs no new criminal charges, the case will be dismissed in 12 months, according to a plea in abeyance agreement approved by Duchesne County Justice Court Judge Clair Poulsen.
Last month, Brennan, 42, resolved the case against her in a similar manner by pleading no contest to class B misdemeanor assault. Her case will be dismissed in 12 months if she pays a $300 court fee and incurs no new charges.