Jacob Paul Graham appeared for sentencing in District Court on Tuesday, March 2, after pleading guilty in December to Coercion, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison and one count of False Imprisonment, a Gross Misdemeanor.
Graham was arrested on August 25, 2019, after physically forcing his fiancé into a car, during which she sustained severe injuries. The initial charges against Graham included Felony Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Coercion Constituting Domestic Violence, Preventing or Dissuading Victim or Witness Giving Evidence, Battery with Substantial Bodily Harm, and False Imprisonment.
According to Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Weed, Graham and his fiancé left the Cantaloupe Festival and went to a friend's house, where Graham got into an argument with the friend. Upon deciding to leave, Graham attempted to physically force his fiancé into the vehicle. Neighbors awoke to the sound of someone shouting and heard a man yell, "Shut up and get in the car!" Witnesses stated that they also heard a woman screaming, begging for help, and saw a car trying to run over the victim. The victim ran to a neighboring home seeking safety while another neighbor eventually pinned Graham to the ground.
Jesse Kalter Esq., defense counsel for Graham, requested that Graham be admitted into the Veterans Treatment Court as an alternative sentencing option. Kalter presented a letter of acceptance into the Veterans Treatment Court program and cited Graham's six years of service in the Navy, including two combat tours overseas. Graham suffers from various disorders resulting from his service.
Graham's fiancé provided victim impact testimony to the Court stating that she sustained injuries to her mouth and teeth, after which she had to have surgery and is now left with severe dental issues. She also said that she suffers greatly from the attack, having both physical pain from her injuries and emotional pain from the trauma, as memories of the attack still haunt her. She asked that Graham pay the restitution for her surgeries and serve prison time stating, "He should not be allowed to walk away without having severe consequences for these actions."
Judge Stockard stated that he was concerned about Graham's evaluation, stating that it read like Graham should receive a medal rather than plead guilty to a crime. Stockard denied Graham's application for the Veterans Treatment Court and sentenced him to 19-72 months in prison for count one and 364 days in jail for count two, with the sentences to run concurrently. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,337 and remanded into custody.
Comment
Comments