St. Paul police officer now faces felony charges in assault

Misdemeanor assault charge changed after it was found that his wife had suffered broken rib and facial bones.

By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune

Last update: July 17, 2009 - 12:04 AM

After Lisa M. Rinehart walked into Maplewood City Hall the night of June 22 with a bloody nose and a puffy, swollen face, authorities determined to charge her husband, St. Paul police canine officer Isaac Rinehart, with misdemeanor domestic assault.

Those charges were changed Thursday to felony third-degree assault after it was determined that the woman's injuries constituted "substantial bodily harm," according to documents filed in Ramsey County District Court. Medical records showed that Lisa Rinehart suffered a fractured right cheek with bone fragments pushed into her sinus, a fractured eye socket and a broken rib.

Isaac D. Rinehart, 42, who joined the St. Paul Police Department in November 1994, was suspended, spokesman Sgt. Paul Schnell said.

He was released on bail from the Ramsey County jail, but could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Rinehart and his wife apparently were estranged before the incident. Maplewood Police Chief David Thomalla, who was at City Hall when Lisa Rinehart walked in, said a few days after the incident that the victim lives elsewhere.

According to the criminal complaint, Lisa Rinehart gave a written statement to Maplewood police on July 1, writing that she and her husband talked at his home on the evening of June 22, then they and their children went to dinner at a restaurant. Afterward, the children went into the house, and Isaac Rinehart asked her to stay in the car and continue their conversation.

"He said they should get divorced and was agitated," the complaint said. When Lisa Rinehart tried to leave the car, Isaac Rinehart "grabbed her hair ... then used his left hand to hold her head down and began beating her with his right fist."

The county attorney's office has not decided whether to refer the case to another county to avoid a possible conflict of interest.

Pat Pheifer • 612-741-4992

Recent St. Paul stories

Capitol doors broken; suspect held - July 17, 2009

Capitol doors broken; suspect held - A 26-year-old St. Paul man was arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly breaking three glass doors at the State Capitol, police said. More