Lauren Whatley, 26, of Irvington, is one of four people charged in the November 2014 shooting death of 22-year-old Newark resident Ana Satian during a cell phone robbery
Lauren Whatley NEWARK -- An Irvington woman has been indicted on charges of slipping out of her handcuffs and punching an Essex County Sheriff's officer in the face last June after she appeared in court for a murder case.
Lauren Whatley, 26, was indicted on Wednesday on charges of making terroristic threats, aggravated assault and throwing bodily fluid at law enforcement officers in connection with the June 23 incident.
The attack allegedly occurred after Whatley was arraigned on murder and related offenses in the November 2014 shooting death of 22-year-old Newark resident Ana Satian during a cell phone robbery.
Three men - Perry Howard, 28, of Bloomfield; Mumit Marrow, 22, of Newark; and Massai Laboo, 23, of Irvington - also have been charged in Satian's killing.
All four defendants are in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility in lieu of posting bail.
RELATED: Accused murderer slipped out of handcuffs, punched officer, authorities say
Authorities have said the incident involving Whatley occurred hours after she had appeared before Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler in the murder case.
Whatley was being transported in a van at about 4 p.m. back to the county jail when she began slamming her body into the side of the vehicle and making threats towards the sheriff's officers, authorities said.
To ensure Whatley's safety, the officers returned to the Essex County Courthouse, authorities said. Inside the van, Whatley allegedly removed one of her hands from the handcuffs, authorities said.
Ana Satian, 22, of Newark, died on Nov. 9, 2014 after being shot the day before during a cell phone robbery, authorities said.When the officers were removing Whatley from the vehicle, she allegedly spit on one female officer and struck her in the face, authorities said.
The officers subdued Whatley and brought her to East Orange General Hospital for treatment of any injuries before ultimately transporting her to the jail, authorities said.
In the murder case, authorities said Satian was visiting her friend's house on 3rd Street in Newark on Nov. 8.
As Satian was walking into the house, at least two of the defendants approached her, stole her cell phone and shot her, authorities said. The cell phone was later discarded and recovered nearby, authorities said.
Satian died from her injuries the following day at University Hospital in Newark, authorities said.
The mother of two young children, Satian was born in Ecuador and moved to the United States when she was seven years old. She attended Newark Tech High School before becoming married and having children.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
