Woman faces trial in shooting over molestion allegation

Erica D. Johnson

Monday, Nov. 17, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

A woman charged with shooting a man she claims molested her 5-year-old son will stand trial on attempted murder charges in District Court, a justice of the peace ruled on Friday.

Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo ruled that there was enough evidence to warrant one count each of attempt murder and battery, both with use of a deadly weapon, against Donna Hatch.

Authorities say Hatch shot Christian Rockwell on Sept. 1 at Hatch's apartment complex near Cambridge Street and Katie Lane. Rockwell was shot in the head and torso.

The two had arranged a meeting at the apartment complex to discuss Hatch's allegations.

Prosecutors believe the shooting was unprovoked and that Hatch arranged the meeting with plans to shoot Rockwell, Deputy District Attorney Tera Ames said.

"The victim is alleging a setup where she just walked up to him and fired a gun," Ames said.

But Hatch's lawyer, Sean Sullivan, said that prior to the meeting, Hatch had filed a police report concerning the alleged molestation. Police were searching for Rockwell, Sullivan said.

He said Hatch had also contacted police after arranging the meeting with Rockwell and that her husband, Patrick Hatch, was on the line with police when the shooting occurred.

Sullivan said Hatch was planning only to stall Rockwell but that Rockwell attacked her.

"It's no secret that we're claiming self-defense in this case," Sullivan said.

Hatch was released from the Clark County Detention Center and is under house arrest while she awaits her Nov. 24 arraignment before District Judge Joseph Bonaventure.

Rockwell, who described himself as a former friend of Hatch's, testified that he had heard rumors that he had been accused of molesting the child. He denied knowing that Hatch was the source of the rumors.

Rockwell said he met Hatch in the hallway on the seventh floor of the apartment building. Hatch had acted suspiciously as she approached him, he said.

"She appeared to me to be nervous," he said. "She also kept her hand behind her back."

Hatch pulled out a gun and fired several shots, Rockwell said, and at least two shots hit him.

"She aimed it at the center of my forehead," he said. "I felt the impact. I remember seeing blood spray out of my face."

Rockwell said he escaped by running up the stairs and onto another floor where he called police from his cell phone. He denied ever trying to attack Hatch.

Under cross-examination by Sullivan, Rockwell said he was a convicted felon relating to charges including fraud, grand larceny auto and possession of stolen property.