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Parkersburg man sentenced for assaulting girlfriend

CHAD PLAUCHE-ADKINS The Marietta Times Gurmel McDonald pleads for treatment over prison at his sentencing on Wednesday in Washington County Common Pleas Court.

Emotions ran high in Washington County Common Pleas Court Wednesday as a Parkersburg man was sentenced for trying to strangle his girlfriend.

Gurmel McDonald, 31, of Central City Road, Parkersburg, was sentenced to 150 days in jail, five years community control and treatment at the STAR facility for the November incident in Belpre involving his girlfriend, Madison Donaway.

On Nov. 29, McDonald went to Donaway’s home in Belpre, when an argument took place. McDonald already had a restraining order against him placed by Donaway prior to that date. During the argument, McDonald choked the victim with a string of Christmas lights and smashed her phone when she tried to call the police.

McDonald pleaded guilty in January to fourth-degree felony charges of aggravated assault and disrupting public service.

Before the sentencing, Donaway spoke in favor of leniency for McDonald to Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Kerenyi. During her statement, Donaway was barely audible through her tears.

“Give him a chance to prove he’s changed,” she said.

McDonald also spoke before the sentencing and told Kerenyi that after he pleaded guilty he began changing his life for the better by attending Hopewell in Belpre and that he has accepted responsibility for his actions. According to their website, Hopewell provides comprehensive behavioral health treatment to its patients.

“I’ve done a lot of destructive things in my lifetime and I’ve hurt a lot of people,” he said. “Everyone has given up on me…I’ve never been able to be a part of society.”

McDonald fought back emotion as he spoke to the court about the progress he has made while getting treatment.

“With family counseling I’ve been able to learn how to have healthy relationships,” he said. “With your consideration, I want to continue to grow and continue becoming a better person.”

McDonald also told the court he had been addicted to drugs and since the incident, hasn’t been using.

Before he read the sentence, Kerenyi listed McDonald’s lengthy criminal record that included juvenile rape in 2005 and robbery and domestic battery in 2010. Kerenyi said that McDonald had just been released from prison on a 2016 drug charge before he committed the crimes that put him in court on Wednesday.

Kerenyi sentenced McDonald to 150 days in the Washington County Jail with 71 days credited for time served. He was also ordered to attend the STAR Community Justice Center as soon as a bed becomes available at the facility. The STAR Community Justice Center is a community-based correctional facility intended to promote public safety and reduce prison commitments.

McDonald was also sentenced to five years community control upon his release from the STAR Community Justice Center.

McDonald was facing up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine for each of the charges he pleaded guilty to.

At a glance

•Gurmel McDonald, 31, of Parkersburg, was sentenced Wednesday to 150 days in the county jail, treatment at the STAR Community Justice Center and five years community control.

•The sentence stems from a November incident where McDonald choked his girlfriend with a string of Christmas lights and broke her cell phone.

•Gurmel pleaded for leniency from the court, saying he had never had a chance to be a functioning member of society.

Source: Times research.

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