LEWISTON – An Auburn man was arrested and charged with assaulting a nurse at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center early Saturday morning.

Richard Ernest Murphy, 32, of Auburn, a patient in St. Mary’s crisis unit, was taken into custody by officer Craig Johnston after police responded to a complaint involving an aggressive patient. According to police, staff at St. Mary’s said Murphy had thrown and broken chairs, broken a window and caused other damage.

Murphy was restrained by staff but managed to break free and attack the nurse, police said. Police said Murphy repeatedly kicked the nurse in her ribs. Besides injuring her ribs, the altercation caused injuries to her chest and hand, police said. The victim’s name was not released.

Murphy was arrested at 3:53 a.m. and charged with assault on an emergency medical care provider and criminal mischief.


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