MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — The woman accused of biting a state trooper and leading officers on a chase in a stolen patrol vehicle has entered a plea.
Cortney Morey, of Ravenna, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, unlawful driving away and fleeing a police officer.
The malicious destruction of police property charge against her was dismissed, according to Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson.
Michigan State Police said it all started when they were responding to a domestic call around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 3. While trying to arrest Morey, troopers said she started to struggle and bit the trooper.
As police were addressing others at the scene, authorities said Morey slipped her handcuffs and stole the patrol vehicle.
She led law enforcement on a chase until she eventually crashed. 13 ON YOUR SIDE was at the scene and the MSP patrol car had to be towed out of a swamp in Bridgeton Township.
The incident was captured through body cam and dash cam footage.
Authorities said the trooper she bit was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
"Obviously, our concern is for officer safety first, but she kind of upped the ante by leading the police on a high-speed chase, and that endangers everyone," said Timothy Maat, Chief Assistant at the prosecutor's office after Morey was initially charged. "So these charges are designed to reflect the seriousness of what she did and how she endangered the lives of these officers as well as the lives of ordinary citizens."
Morey is expected to appear for sentencing on Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m.
