BANGOR, Maine — The trial of a local man accused of striking a woman in January with a field hockey stick in an altercation over a cell phone ended Wednesday morning when the defendant pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
The jury trial of Christopher Stone, 31, of Bangor began Tuesday at the Penobscot Judicial before a jury of 11 women and three men, including two alternates.
Stone pleaded guilty to one count each of Class D domestic violence assault and Class C violation of a condition of release, Michael Roberts, deputy district attorney for Penobscot County, said Thursday.
Superior Court Justice William Anderson sentenced Stone to a year in prison — nine months on the domestic violence assault charge and three years with all but three months suspended on the bail violation charge to be served after he completes the sentence for the assault. The judge also sentenced Stone to three years of probation.
Stone originally was charged with Class B aggravated assault, Class C domestic violence assault, Class D violation of a protection order and, in a separate case, Class C violation of a condition of release.
Roberts said Thursday that the agreement was reached before the jury heard any testimony Wednesday. The aggravated assault and violation of protection order charges were dismissed, the prosecutor said.
The bail violation charge stemmed from Stone having contact in October 2012 with his girlfriend, with whom he has a child, after he was charged with domestic assault and disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty Dec. 3 to disorderly conduct and was fined $500, according to Bangor Daily News archives. The assault charge was dropped.
At the trial Tuesday, defense attorney N. Laurence Willey of Bangor said the defendant acted in self defense. Stone grabbed the stick after the woman struck him in the face with brass knuckles, Willey told jurors.
The argument was over a cell phone the woman had given Stone and wanted back, according to Michael Roberts, assistant district attorney for Penobscot County. The victim came to get the cell phone back at the apartment where Stone was staying with his then 18-month-old child and the girl’s mother, the prosecutor said.
The girl’s mother testified that the field hockey stick was hers and that she had played in seventh grade in 1996 or 1997 in northern Penobscot County.
“Stone went out of the apartment to talk with the victim,” Roberts said after court adjourned Tuesday. “He, then, pushed his way back into the apartment past [the mother of his child], who was trying to keep him out. When the victim confronted him, again at the door, he struck her with the field hockey stick.”
The victim fell to the ground but did not lose consciousness and has recovered from her injuries, Roberts said.
Both women were romantically involved with Stone, Willey said.
Stone has been held at the Penobscot County Jail unable to make bail since his arrest Jan. 9. He is expected to be released by the end of December, Roberts said Thursday.
Stone faced up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 on the felony bail violation charge and up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 on the domestic violence assault charge.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.