21-year-old Newport man pleads not guilty, granted bail, as girlfriend in critical condition after violent assault

A 21-year-old Rhode Island man faced a judge Tuesday after his girlfriend was critically injured late last week.

According to court records, Preston Schuster pled not guilty and was granted $10,000 cash bail with a domestic no contact order.

Schuster has been charged with two counts of felony domestic assault, felony possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, and two counts of domestic violence-disorderly conduct.

According to scanner transmissions, a call came into dispatch just after 11:30 a.m. Friday for a female unconscious but breathing on the 20 block of Carey Street in Newport.

Family members and a GoFundMe fundraiser state that Kate of Portsmouth, RI is in the hospital, attempting to heal after what has been described as a horrific assault.

The victim is in critical condition, and her family and friends are concerned over Schuster’s release.

Kate’s sister, through the fundraiser, gave some background on Kate and touched on her situation.

“Kate attended Pennfield School in her early years, later graduating Portsmouth High School in 2022. She is about to transfer to URI to study business, and has been a friendly face at the YMCA for years. She is an avid member of the community, is learning to knit, loves listening to music, way more talented at makeup than I ever could be, and loves with her entire soul. If you or anyone you know is in an abusive relationship, please take action and find out more information on how you can help.”

Loved ones are also collecting messages, photos, and memories through a Caring Bridge page.

Schuster has a status conference scheduled for October 28th.