Son guilty of hitting mom after Bible class
12/1/2012Gordon Stevens was found guilty Friday of charges stemming from an incident Sept. 25 when he punched his mother in the eye as she left a Bible study group.
Mr. Stevens, 32, who was charged with domestic violence, assault, animal cruelty, and animal abandonment, was found guilty on two of the four charges — domestic violence and animal cruelty.
The animal cruelty and abandonment charges stem from his four dogs being left unattended after he was jailed after the incident with his mother, Kathleen Stevens, on an unrelated outstanding warrant.
The animal-related charges, both second-degree misdemeanors, were filed by the Toledo Area Humane Society.
The domestic violence and assault charges are both first-degree misdemeanors.
Mr. Stevens, 1837 Acorn Dr., Toledo, initially agreed to a plea bargain, but in the middle of the proceedings changed his mind and decided he instead wanted a bench trial.
Judge Timothy Kuhlman found Mr. Stevens guilty on the domestic violence charge for which he was sentenced to 30 days in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio and 150 days suspended.
His sentence also includes one year of probation, a mental health assessment and treatment, and no contact with the victim.
“I’m concerned for the safety of everyone you encounter,” Judge Kuhlman told the defendant during sentencing. “You are just plain mean.”
On the animal cruelty charge, he was sentenced to 90 days suspended and a $100 fine and costs.
He was also placed on one year of probation and was required to surrender his dogs to the humane society.
The group has been caring for the dogs previously at his residence since Sept. 29, when they executed a search warrant with the assistance of Toledo Police, and seized four adult “pit bull”-type dogs. One of the dogs subsequently had seven puppies at the humane society.
Contact Tanya Irwin at: tirwin@theblade.com or 419-724-6066.