Deb Frisch Trial 2009

FRISCH WAS ‘INEBRIATED’

LARGE POLICE, EMS RESPONSE ON NIGHT OF ASSAULT

A police officer detected that Deb Frisch was “inebriated” on the night

she assaulted her victim last November, sources say. Public records

also reveal that a substantial dispatch of Fire and EMS rescue teams

arrived at Frisch’s home that night—and were warned by police to stage

far from Frisch’s house.

Further details of the fateful evening are emerging, casting doubt

on any claim that Frisch was “justified” in her assault of a victim in

Frisch’s home nearly three months ago.

Frisch is facing charges of physical harassment, and unlawful discharge

of pepper spray, in connection with the attack. Last month, she declined

an offer to plead guilty in exchange for 5 years’ probation and 5 days

behind bars. “The only acceptable offer,” Frisch blogged today, quoting

a letter to her public defender, “is ‘both charges are dropped.’”

TEH EVENING IN QUESTION
The night of Nov. 1, 2008 began, obviously, with Debbie in a bar, called

the ‘John Henry.’ Aftertanking up, Frisch left the establishment at around

11:00pm.

Frisch was in no condition to drive, but seemed determined to try. The

victim, who had been friends with Frisch before the attack, confronted

Frisch outside. The victim relieved Frisch of her car keys—but not before

Frisch assaulted the victim in the tussle, according to the victim’s later
petition for a restraining order (with which Frisch was served last Dec. 5th).

Before long, Frisch was face-to-face with a police officer. “I do not

remember,” Frisch blogged, describing her blacked-out state, “all of the

details of what transpired in the 15 (30?) minutes between leaving the

bar and interacting withEugene Police Officer Judd [redacted].”

Unsurprisingly, the officer readily saw that Frisch was “inebriated.” Police

officers instructed the victim to drive Frisch’s smelly self home.

Upon arriving, Frisch thanked the friend for her favor—by pepper-spraying

her. The victim fled and contacted police, who arrived on the scene

between 1:30 and 2:00am.

Medical and rescue personnel were also summoned. One can imagine

Frisch’s condition, given the enormous response, as seen in EMS/Fire Logs

for that evening (Frisch's address has been redacted):

(EPD police logs also indicate that rescue personnel were warned by the

Sheriff’s Office to “stag[e] well away from the scene.”)

After weighing the evening’s events, the Lane County District Attorney

arraigned Frisch on criminal charges on December 9.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES
Frisch’s compromised mental state on the night in question has legal

ramifications. She is charged, in part, under Oregon Revised Statute

163.212: it’s a class A misdemeanor to “recklessly discharges an electrical

stun gun, tear gas weapon, mace, tear gas, pepper mace or any similar

deleterious agent against another person.” The key adverb, of course, is

recklessly. Given Frisch’s inebriation and behavior—which was disturbing

enough to prompt a large-scale rescue response—it strains credulity that

Frisch’s actions that night were anything short of “reckless.” (Golly, as

loyal Squeak readers know, Frisch’s behavior is “reckless” even without

libation!)

Yet Frisch remains sufficiently self-deceived that she can avoid legal

consequences for her actions.

.

It’s enough to make one pity her poor public defender.