Women face charges after dispute in Webster theater

(2/11/06 - KTRK/WEBSTER, TX) (KTRK) -- Things got a little ugly when two women got into a dispute over a cell phone. It happened inside a movie theater in Webster.

On Monday afternoon, a half-hour into the movie Brokeback Mountain, Pauline Clayton said she tried to quiet the woman two seats away who answered her phone and was talking on it during the show.

"She was chatting and chatting and so I go...," said Clayton, demonstrating to us how she put her finger over her lips as she tapped the woman on the shoulder.

Clayton said the woman didn't stop, so she tapped her again.

"I was trying to be polite, to remind her where she was," said Clayton.

That's when police say the woman on the phone started yelling.

"The lady on the cell phone stood up, began cursing and using obscene language and created a scene within the theater," said Sgt. Jeff Tate with the Webster Police Department.

That woman then stormed out of the theater and called police, who ended up citing both women. Clayton, who is here from Australia visiting her brother, can't believe she's accused in the United States of misdemeanor assault.

"Where I come from, which is Australia, touching someone is not considered assault," said Clayton.

If convicted, Clayton could have to pay a fine of up to $700.

"That worries me because in my money, that's $1,000," said Clayton.

The woman in this case who called police is now charged with disorderly conduct.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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