Domestic assault is a crime of violence usually involving spouses in a physical altercation. Domestic assault charges can include, but are not limited to, assault and murder charges. On February 14, 2012, a Michigan resident was to be sentenced for the charge of assault with the intent to murder stemming from a domestic dispute.

This domestic case started on Feb. 6, 2012 when the accused, a Michigan resident, was charged for a domestic assault incident involving his wife. The incident began because he believed his wife was having an affair with a friend. The husband had allegedly put his wife into the backseat of his car and struck her with a piece of a broken broom handle.

According to reports, the two then drove to the suspected friend's house. While at the house his wife left the residence and ran to a local store. The accused man found her at the store, and allegedly forced her to leave. The police said that at one point the husband's vehicle struck her in the parking lot.

The man was charged with assault with the intent to murder in two different counties. During his hearing, he entered into a plea agreement with the prosecutor in one of the counties and entered a no contest plea.

A no contest plea is a criminal plea that is not considered an admission of guilt for trial purposes. In criminal proceedings the trial and sentencing may be separate. Even though no admission of guilt was entered at trial, the no contest plea means that the defendant agrees to legal conviction and sentencing while maintaining a claim of innocence.

Under the plea agreement reached, the accused man anticipates a minimum sentence. This plea agreement is a procedural criminal defense, which is only applicable in the county in which the agreement was made and the accused faces another trial in the second county in which he was charged.

Source: Muskegon Chronicle, "Robbie' Hornof to be sentenced this morning for near-fatal beating of Lola Hornof" John S. Hausman, Feb. 14, 2012