Domestic Violence Defendant Sentenced for Assaulting, Threatening his Girlfriend

By Andy Tripathi [former] - April 25, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | Suspects | Victims |

A domestic violence defendant was sentenced to serve three years in prison for assaulting his girlfriend.

During the sentencing hearing on April 22, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan said Jonathan Ashworth threatened to kill his girlfriend and pulled a knife on her in the presence of children. In February, Ashworth pleaded guilty to threatening to injure or kidnap a person and assault with a dangerous weapon. 

A portion of the victim’s impact statement was read in court. In it, she stated that her children were taken away from her and she does not want that to happen to anyone else.

“On previous occasions, Jonathan had a gun even when he was on probation and that is when he threatened to kill me,” the victim wrote. 

Ashworth has a history of violating court orders and came into the sentencing with a criminal history score that Judge Ryan called too high for his age. The defendant has gone through several periods of incarceration throughout his life.

Judge Ryan said Ashworth’s father was in jail for a long time while he was growing up in an impoverished part of the city.

Ashworth ended up leaving the area to go to school in North Carolina due to behavioral issues. His academic experiences suggest that he should have had an Individualized Educational Program during this time, defense attorney Bruce Cooper said.

The prosecutor requested consecutive prison sentences between 60 and 80 months for each of the defendant’s two convictions. He argued that the two-and-a-half-year prison sentence he served for a previous offense did not work for him. The prosecutor also said Ashworth has yet to show remorse, as he allegedly coerced, dominated and exerted pressure over his girlfriend in letters he wrote during the case.

Cooper said his client was on PCP on the night of the crime and has had a toxic relationship with the victim for a very long time. Since he has been in jail and being medicated, he has been polite, Cooper added while requesting a three-year sentence.

Cooper also said his client is ready to apologize to the victim today in court, but Judge Ryan denied the request, saying, “he is not talking in court to anyone while locked up”. 

Ashworth plans to live with his family in North Carolina upon his release from custody.

“I need more time to start a life with my new girlfriend,” Ashworth said. “I love my kids, and I am tired of going over and over the same thing; just want to start over.” 

“Your past is holding you back,” Judge Ryan told him. “I think you are worth saving, but I have to protect the victim and the community first. You have been very dangerous to the community and this girl.” 

Judge Ryan sentenced Ashworth to three years for assault with a dangerous weapon and a fully-suspended two years for threatening to injure or kidnap a person. He strongly recommended the defendant receive a dual diagnosis evaluation, treatment and counseling.

“You are a very young man and you have the ability to change the course of your life,” Judge Ryan told Ashworth. “You are capable of it and you need to do it.”