On Wednesday afternoon, the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office secured a jury trial conviction of Arthur Turner Jr., 25, of Dowagiac, for assault by strangulation, interfering with an electronic communication device resulting in injury, aggravated domestic violence as a second offense and witness – bribing/intimidating/interfering as a habitual offender in the fourth degree.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tiffiny Vohwinkle entered testimony that revealed a history of domestic violence the defendant had placed on Randi Green, of Dowagiac.

Evidence at trial showed that on Nov. 29, 2014, Turner and Green got into an argument that was turned into a bloody melee of beatings and strangulation.  Turner assaulted Green numerous times leaving bruises over her entire body including her throat.  Turner further caused severe injuries to Green, which required her to receive stitches. Turner denied being a part of any assault.

Witness testimony indicated that screams from Green could be heard in that early 2:30 a.m. morning of pleas for someone to help her.  An innocent bystander heard the screams and called for the Dowagiac Police Department, which dispatched officers to investigate the brutal strangulation and assault.

Turner’s victimization of Green did not end that night.  He continued to call and attempted to impede Green from testifying against him.  He also wrote her numerous letters while incarcerated in the Cass County Jail cajoling with her to not testify against him.

“We are pleased with the verdict,” Assistant Prosecutor Vohwinkle said. “There is no place for domestic violence in a civilized society.”

Turner now faces up to life in prison and is scheduled for sentencing in front of Judge Michael Dodge on Aug. 21, 2015, at 8:30 a.m.