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Haverhill woman charged in fight is free on bail

By Bill Cantwell
bcantwell@eagletribune.com
Published: September 6, 2008

HAVERHILL — The woman accused of knocking another woman to the ground and causing her serious head injuries is free on $2,500 bail.

Ernestine Muir, 40, of 6 Blaisdell St., was held for about a month before posting the bail late last week, according to the district attorney's office.

She is charged with hitting Tara Hatfield, 33, of 402 River St., and knocking her to the ground, where she hit her head. Members of Hatfield's family said she underwent brain surgery and stayed at a rehabilitation hospital.

Police said that in the early morning hours of Aug. 3, Hatfield and her brother Shawn Hatfield, 32, of 1 Arlington Place went to Muir's home. The two families know each other.

Police said Muir and Tara Hatfield got into a fight that ended when Muir punched Hatfield in the face, causing her to fall to the ground where she suffered the head injuries. Hatfield was rushed to Caritas Holy Family Hospital in Methuen before being taken by helicopter to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, where doctors performed brain surgery. She was eventually transferred to Northeast Rehabilitation Center in Salem, N.H.

Muir is due back in court Oct. 16 for a probable cause hearing.