An 81-year-old Dunnellon woman is facing felony battery and assault charges after an elderly man accused her of threatening him with a knife during an argument that turned physical.
On Monday, the elderly victim contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and he advised that Diane Shirley Pittman had “gone nuts” and was trying to attack him with a knife. The arrest report stated that Pittman was “highly verbal” and could be heard in the background during the call.
An MCSO corporal responded to the residence where the incident occurred. After knocking on the front door, Pittman and the victim both came outside. The corporal noted in the report that Pittman began shouting that law enforcement needed to make the victim leave the property.
Moments later, the victim sat down, and Pittman attempted to walk into the residence. The MCSO report stated that the corporal grabbed Pittman’s arm, brought her outside, and escorted her to a patrol vehicle for an interview.
Pittman repeatedly told the corporal that she was the victim. She advised that an argument had ensued with the male victim, and he refused to leave the premises after she told him to get out of the house. The corporal noted that Pittman further advised that the victim “grabbed her and threw her down” during the altercation.
The corporal observed that Pittman was “very upset,” and she refused to provide any further details. She then made a statement that “law enforcement didn’t’ care,” according to the MCSO report.
The corporal made contact with the male victim who advised that he had been out running errands with Pittman when she “had enough” and wanted to head home. Shortly after arriving at the residence, the MCSO report stated that a verbal altercation ensued, and Pittman told the victim to “take all of his belongings and leave.”
When the victim refused to leave, he told the corporal that Pittman became “enraged” and began throwing items at him. This prompted the victim to call law enforcement, and he stated that Pittman proceeded to grab a pocketknife. She then allegedly threatened to harm him with the knife, according to the MCSO report.
The victim stated that he grabbed at the knife to get it away from Pittman. During the struggle for the knife, he advised that he had to grab her arms, which caused the frail skin on her forearm to tear. When it became clear that she was losing her grip on the knife, the victim advised that Pittman began to “hit him all over.”
The corporal noted in the report that dried blood was visible in between the victim’s teeth and on the side of his mouth. He also had blood all over his shirt with a large amount on his back, which is where Pittman had allegedly struck him with her bloody arm.
Pittman was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail. Prior to arriving at the facility, Pittman stated on camera, “He (the victim) better hope I don’t get out of jail because if I do, I’m going to kill him,” according to the MCSO report.
Pittman was brought to jail, and she was released on her own recognizance the following day. She is being charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 19, according to jail records.