SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Two sisters-in-law who were both criminally charged following a late-night brawl in Silver Lake last weekend each avoided criminal convictions Tuesday after prosecutors dismissed their cases during the same court hearing.

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According to the criminal complaints, deputies from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office were called to a residence on South Cogswell Drive around 4 a.m. on October 12 after reports of a fight between Crissy Kniseley, 48, of Whitewater, and her sister-in-law, Lorie Kniseley, 56, of Elkhorn. Both women appeared intoxicated when deputies arrived and accused each other of assaulting the other during an argument that began over a Bible verse.

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The altercation reportedly escalated when Crissy held a kitchen knife to her own throat and Lorie intervened, knocking the knife away. Each woman suffered minor injuries, and both were arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct. Crissy faced an additional count of disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon enhancer.

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Crissy posted her $800 statutory bail on Monday and appeared in court Tuesday morning alongside Lorie. During the joint hearing, Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus dismissed all criminal charges against both women, reducing each case to an ordinance violation.

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Had the charges not been dismissed, both women could have faced up to nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine for misdemeanor battery, along with up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for disorderly conduct. Crissy also faced a possible six-month penalty enhancement for use of a dangerous weapon.

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Both women left court without criminal convictions from the case. The incident stemmed entirely from a domestic dispute that Sheriff’s deputies determined involved mutual intoxication and minor physical contact.

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