By By NORMA LERNER / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - A Dowagiac man will see prison bars up to four years for assaulting his female companion with a board.
Larry Earl-Isaiah Walton, 24, of Lakeshore Drive, told Cass County Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge Friday morning before imposing sentence that he was sorry for a misunderstanding he had with the victim and thanked his parents for their support.
Walton got 23 months to four years for assault with a dangerous weapon and 16 to 24 months each for two counts of assaulting, resisting and obstructing a police officer on Jan. 31 when he resisted arrest.
Dodge recounted that Walton has had several accounts of domestic violence.
He kicked the victim, punched her, choked her until she passed out and hit her with a board.
He fled from police when they arrived.
Dodge said there were two children in the house at the time of the assault and that he has a record of five felony convictions and 11 misdemeanors. He said he deserves a prison sentence.
Defense attorney Sidney Tall III said the incident was unfortunate and that Walton still has an opportunity to change his life and do more productive things.
Tall said Walton comes from a strong family and asked for the recommendation of the probation department for boot camp, saying that he would benefit from it and learn responsibility.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jason Ronning said there are still strong feelings by the victim for the defendant.
The victim whimpered as she addressed the court.
Ronning asked the court not to object to boot camp.
Walton also received credit for time served of 81 days for domestic violence and was told by Dodge that he approved of boot camp if eligible.
This would allow for Walton to receive parole and would speed up his sentence and give him an opportunity to go back into the community with his children.
His sentences are concurrent.
Court costs amounted to $990.
Other June 30 sentences are as follows:
Juan Pablo Ortiz-Morales, 18, of 7049 Roys Ave., Elkhart, Ind., received credit for time served of 95 days for delivery of more than five kilograms of marijuana on March 27 in Calvin Township.
Ortiz-Morales smuggled 50 pounds of marijuana from Mexico through Houston to Cass County.
Dodge said Ortiz-Morales may be in the U.S. illegally because his status is undocumented.
Dodge said he probably deserved to be deported, but that was not his decision. He is to pay court costs of $120.
David Finney, 52, of 1409 Capital Ave., Battle Creek, got five years probation plus 120 days jail for failing to pay child support from July 1998 to January 2006. He is to pay $1,520 in court costs and $17,000 in back child support.
Marshall Grabill, 24, of 24050 North Shore Drive, Edwardsburg, received 150 days jail for possessing analogues on March 26. He is to pay $120 court costs.
David Kelly, 39, of 607 E. Water St., Cassopolis, received two to 22 1/2 years prison for second-degree home invasion in Cassopolis, second offense, on April 5 when he stole money and jewelry. He is to pay $920 in court costs and restitution of $1,057.70. His term is consecutive to a Missouri conviction.
Brian Penny, 30, received 270 days jail, three years probation, for third-offense operating a vehicle while intoxicated on May 14 in Volinia Township. He is to pay $820 court costs and a $500 fine. His blood alcohol level was 0.23 percent.
Pierce Viehe, 58, 26833 U.S. 12, Edwardsburg, received 90 days jail and $120 court costs for attempted failure to register as a sex offender on April 15 in Ontwa Township.
Matthew Runyon, 44, of 120 Dewey St., Dowagiac, received 90 days jail and $120 court costs for failure to register as a sex offender on April 15 in Dowagiac.