Published: November 09, 2009 10:02 pm      

Nurse accused of assault held for trial

JOHNSTOWN — A nurse at the Presbyterian Home of Greater Johnstown was ordered on Monday to stand trial on charges that she assaulted a resident there.

Joanne M. Meszaros, 51, of Mosholder Street, Johnstown, was charged with simple assault and harassment. She was ordered held for court following a preliminary hearing before District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi of Vinco.

Upper Yoder Township police said the incident happened Aug. 30 when Meszaros was working a night shift at the nursing home at 787 Goucher St.

A female resident told police she awoke during the night and went to the refrigerator to get something to drink. She was returning to her room when Meszaros began yelling at her “for being up at that hour.”

Meszaros, who was watching TV, followed the woman to her room and allegedly punched her in the left arm, leaving a bruise, police said.

Craig Instone, Presbyterian Home administrator, notified police of the incident.

Instone said Monday that he could not comment until the case is resolved.

Meszaros is represented by Johnstown attorney Robert Davis Gleason.

“We had litigated a preliminary hearing today to ascertain the applicable facts in this case,” Gleason said.

“I feel Ms. Meszaros is innocent in regard to any simple assault charge and will be exonerated in subsequent court proceedings.”