La Plata, MD – Domestic violence is no joke and Davon Amonie Barnes, 19 of Waldorf, learned that Thursday, Jan. 14 when Charles County Circuit Court H. James West sentenced him to 10 years, then suspended all but 120 days.
“You cannot kick in someone’s door and then physically assault them,” West said.
“Mr. Barnes pled guilty to second-degree assault,” Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremy Widder stated. “This is a domestic violence case. It’s clear to me, this is a very troubled young man.
“He and his girlfriend had an on-again, off-again relationship,” Widder added. “On April 13, 2015, he went to his girlfriend’s house, kicked in the door and kicks her, punches her, kicked her in the neck and broke her nose. His version is, ‘I have no story’.”
Barnes has a lengthy juvenile history, Widder said.
“He needs to do some hard work, to learn some responsibility,” he continued. “I’m left looking at somebody who has no problem beating women.”
Charles County Assistant Public Defender John Getz said the court made it clear that if he got into a program it would be to his benefit.
“He is back with his girlfriend,” Getz said. “He was ordered to treatment but he got a job with UPS. It was seasonal. He put his counseling on the back burner. Some conditions the state has suggested make good sense.”
“I’m sorry for what happened,” Barnes told the judge.
“Why should any woman you date have to worry you’re going to kick in the door and assault her?” West asked the defendant.
In addition to the 120 days, West placed Barnes on five years of supervised probation and ordered a mental health evaluation and placed him in an abuser prevention program.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com