Taco Bell manager who choked a pregnant employee after a heated argument gets three years probation

A Taco Bell manager in Portland has been sentenced to three years of probation after choking her pregnant co-worker during an argument last year.

Shocking video of the altercation shows the heated exchange turn violent as Linda Witkerson chokes her pregnant colleague in the kitchen of the restaurant.  

Witkerson, 48, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and strangulation at Multnomah County Circuit Court on Friday.

A judge ordered her to attend anger management class, pay $250 damages and complete 100 hours of community service. 

She was also ordered to not contact former colleague Mary Hulett who she attacked in 2018.

Shocking CCTV shows Witkerson and Hulett, 29, get into an argument in the kitchen area of the Portland airport-area venue shortly before 3pm on June 3, 2018. 

Hulett, who was four months pregnant at the time, goes into an office, Witkerson arrives there soon after, and the two have a heated exchange.

Shocking CCTV shows Witkerson and Hulett, 29, get into an argument in the kitchen area of the Portland airport-area venue shortly before 3pm on June 3, 2018

Hulett, who was four months pregnant at the time, goes into an office, Witkerson arrives there soon after, and the two have a heated exchange

The pair are seen coming together and then separating while exchanging angry words. 

Witkerson walks away from Hulett and slams the door in the her face, the video shows.

Hulett opens the door and continues the argument, leading to Witkerson returning and slamming the door shut a second time.

When Hulett opens the door again, Witkerson goes back into the office and throttles her co-worker until she is shoved away, the video shows.

The two continue to argue after as a third employee looks on in shock. Hulett later appears to leave the premises, and Witkerson goes back to work.  

Hulett opens the door and continues the argument, leading to Witkerson returning and slamming the door shut a second time. When Hulett opens the door again, Witkerson goes back into the office and throttles her co-worker until she is shoved away, the video shows

‘I didn’t know when she was going to take her hands off my throat, and I was in fear for my child,’ Hulett told The Oregonian. 

‘I’m just glad she let go and my son was born healthy.’

‘It was wrong for me to call her the b-word, but that doesn’t justify you putting your hands on someone,’ she said.

Hulett, who also no longer works at the Taco Bell, said she was relieved Witkerson pleaded guilty. 

Between raising her two young children and going to college to become a drug and alcohol counselor, Hulett said, she didn’t want to start preparing for a trial and to have the case continue.

‘I’m glad there was at least some kind of punishment for what she did,’ Hulett said. ‘I think she got what she deserved.’