Murder suspect enters not guilty pleas in battery and criminal damage case

While the trial for a Hutchinson woman charged with 2nd degree murder will go as scheduled on January 10, Brigit Hippen was in court Tuesday for arraignment on a charge of felony criminal damage to property and misdemeanor battery in a separate incident.

Judge Tim Chambers accepted the not guilty plea even though future hearings will be held in front of Judge Trish Rose. A pre-trial hearing in the matter was set for January 17, and the trial tentatively set for February 28.

Hippen now faces trial for misdemeanor battery and felony criminal damage to property for an incident which occurred back on May 29, of last year, when she allegedly punched another woman in the face for dancing with her boyfriend, Oscar Perez. The victim in the case, Desire Jenson had a retainer in her mouth and the evidence showed that the broken teeth were actually attached to the retainer. However, there was some bleeding in her mouth leading to the probable cause finding for the misdemeanor battery. Hippen also allegedly caused damage to the victims vehicle, including damage to her windshield, and the hood.

Hippen also faces the second trial for 2nd degree murder in association with the death of her 2-month old child. The state argues that she was reckless when she placed a blow dryer on a counter near the crib her child was sleeping in, because of concern for the child being to cold. The child died from hyperthermia as a result, which occurred back on February 23 of 2010.

That trial again scheduled to begin on January 10.