After pleading guilty to terrorist threats and recklessly endangering another person in a domestic violence incident, a man was sentenced to 10 days already served to 23 months in jail, and a year of probation upon his release, as reported by The Mercury News.
T.S., 44, of Amity Township, allegedly terrorized his girlfriend with a gun and made death threats against her on March 23, 2013 at the Douglass Garden Apartments where the two formerly resided in together.
Judge Garrett D. Page handed down the sentence in Montgomery County Court. T.S. will have a total of three years of court supervision. Along with the jail time and probation, T.S. must also attend domestic violence counseling, complete a drug and alcohol evaluation and have no contact with the victim, her family or her friends.
All handguns in T.S.'s possession had to be surrendered as part of the sentence.
In a plea agreement lesser charges filed against T.S. – aggravated and simple assault, and possessing an instrument of crime – were dismissed.
At approximately 11:15 a.m. on March 23 an investigation was started when the victim contacted the police to report a domestic related incident. She had explained that T.S. grew verbally abusive after he had consumed enough alcohol that she could "smell" it "all over him."
An arrest affidavit filled out by Police Officer A.P. detailed T.S. brandishing his handgun and telling the victim that "he was going to kill (her) along with himself" when she refused to engage in sex. T.S. allegedly asked the victim if "she was ready to die."
Officer A.P. wrote, "(The victim) responded she was terrified and not ready to die because of her grandchildren and started to kick the covers around in an effort to protect herself as he stood at the foot of the bed."
Then T.S. told the victim that the "cops wouldn't take him alive" and if she fell asleep she would "never wake up."
At about 8 a.m. the victim was able to sneak out of the apartment and stole away in a busy market until police arrived. Officer A.P. continued, "When asked why she did not contact police at the time of the occurrence she said due to his statements she was in fear for her life that (T.S.) would kill her if she attempted to leave."
Police sought out T.S. and he questioned if the arrest was "because of the gun." According to court documents, along with the handgun police also located a shotgun and a pellet gun in his vehicle.
T.S., by entering his guilty plea, admitted to reckless conduct that put another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury, and threatened to commit a crime of violence with the intent of terrorizing another.
If you have been the victim of domestic violence contact a family law attorney for help. You don't need to be married to your attacker to be considered a victim of domestic violence, or to get help.