Prank Involving Ketchup Escalates to Alleged Assault in Centralia

Jun. 23—A prank escalated into an alleged felony assault in Centralia's George Washington Park on Wednesday, with an 18-year-old woman now facing charges in Lewis County Superior Court stemming from the incident.

The defendant, identified as Catelynn E. Martin, 18, of Centralia, and another woman reportedly "played a prank involving ketchup" on a man in the park on June 21, after which the man "became angry and started yelling at (the pranksters)," according to court documents.

The other woman involved in the prank later told law enforcement she began walking away, but Martin started arguing with another woman in the park.

Witness accounts and security footage from the nearby Timberland Library indicate Martin approached a group of people by the gazebo, started arguing with a woman in the group then punched the woman in the face, according to court documents.

A fight ensued, during which Martin allegedly pinned a woman to the ground, with her knee on the victim's midsection and her hands around the victim's neck, for approximately 16 seconds.

Officers with the Centralia Police Department were dispatched to the incident just before 2:45 p.m. on June 21.

A responding detective with the Centralia Police Department noted "distinct ligature marks around the neck of (the victim)," according to court documents.

Martin was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail just after 3:35 p.m. on June 21, according to jail records.

She was charged Thursday with one count each of second-degree assault and fourth-degree assault.

A Lewis County Superior Court judge set Martin's bail at $10,000.

Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, June 29.