Mulligan Field Drunk Driver Back in Jail for Assault

RIO GRANDE — A Villas man, who just got out of state prison for a December 2007 incident in which he drove drunk through a local recreation field endangering a youth hockey game, appears to be on his way back state prison after he and an accomplice assaulted a man in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 14.
Middle Township Police were called to the home of David Schellinger on Williams Street at approximately 12:16 a.m. by concerned neighbors who heard a disturbance there.
According to police, Donald Hand and Donna Laine went to Schellinger’s home and were allowed to enter the residence.
Once inside, both Hand and Laine began to assault Schellinger by kicking and punching him repeatedly, until he fell to the ground, where the two subjects then kicked him. At one point, Laine picked up a ceramic vase and smashed it over the victim’s head, causing serious bodily injury, police said.
Sgt. Richard McHale, Cpl. Michael Elias, Patrolmen Michael Harron, Jason Sill, Jack Trombetta and Detective First Class Allan McClure responded to the scene along with the Rio Grande Rescue Squad.
Following an investigation that revealed the assault, the officers took Hand into custody and, after finding Laine hiding in a closet, took her into custody as well.
Hand, who will turn 60 on May 20, and Laine were charged with conspiracy to commit an aggravated assault and aggravated assault. Hand was charged additionally with terroristic threats and Laine was charged additionally with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and hindering one’s own apprehension.
Both were remanded to county jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail each set by Judge Birchmeier.
Schellinger was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center, and treated multiple injuries.
According to the state Department of Corrections, Hand was just released on May 1 from Mid-State Correctional Facility, Wrightstown, Burlington County after being taken into custody on Sept. 19, 2008 for the drunk driving incident that occurred at Mulligan Field, Villas.
The Clem Mulligan Complex is located on Mowery Avenue between Caroline and Bates avenues. The complex has two lighted basketball courts, two Little League baseball fields, a street hockey rink, jogging path, concession building, benches, picnic tables and playground equipment.
A Cape May County Grand Jury indicted Hand Jan. 29, 2008 with the fourth-degree crime and he was sentenced Sept. 19, 2008 to a one-year jail term for recklessly creating a risk of widespread injury or damage.
Investigation by Lower Township police at the time of that incident revealed that Hand’s vehicle had entered the park through a gate on the north side and was driving erratically in the park.
Hand’s 1992 Jeep struck and damaged trash receptacles, a concrete barrier and a well point before hitting a tree and fence, which brought the vehicle to rest. Children and adults were forced to jump out of the way of Hand’s vehicle to avoid being hit, police said.
Witnesses said Hand was trying to light a cigarette while driving through the crowd, police said.
A group of citizens, including John Hinker and Chuck Magill, off-duty Cape May County Corrections Officers, Terry Frankenfield, a retired North Wildwood Police Officer and Sam Stango, a former Lower Township police officer, that were watching the hockey game at the time of the incident held Hand at the scene until police arrived.
Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue praised the efforts of all the parents involved who helped to terminate the incident and protect the children present at the time.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com