HOPE, Maine — A 23-year-old Hope man will be serving 5½ years in prison for attempting to strangle a woman who lost consciousness during the assault.
David Bresnahan was sentenced Thursday in Knox County Unified Court by Justice William Stokes to 15 years in prison with all but the 5½ years suspended for aggravated assault. Bresnahan also will be on probation for six years after his release.
The woman who was the victim of the assault, who now lives in Utah, spoke during Thursday’s hearing via a video stream on a laptop computer set up in court by the victim witness advocate.
The woman told the judge that she did not feel Bresnahan was getting enough time but that she was glad justice was being served.
“He’s ruined my life physically, emotionally and financially,” the woman said.
After meeting Bresnahan, the woman had traveled to Hope with him. In July 2015, she called 911 after reporting that he had attempted to strangle her to the point that she became unconscious. He also stomped on her, Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Baroody said.
Stokes pointed out that before becoming a judge, he served as a homicide prosecutor for decades and thus knows how easily this assault could have turned into a homicide.
“The potential to turn into a homicide was very real,” Stokes said, pointing out that he handled cases in which women had been strangled.
The sentence agreement was negotiated between the district attorney’s office and defense attorney Eric “Rick” Morse. Both defended the agreement, with Baroody pointing out that this was the lengthiest sentence in the Knox courts for aggravated assault.
Stokes said Bresnahan’s young age was a factor in his favor because the court likes to have hope that a person can be rehabilitated.
Bresnahan was on probation at the time of the aggravated assault for assaulting a different woman in Utah in April 2015. He also was convicted in February 2012 for a sex offense against a minor.
Baroody said this was the first time that a victim has testified via Internet in a Knox County case. Stokes said he had one prior case in which a person spoke via webcam.
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.