Lowell man faces prison time

Jury verdicts reached in beating of former girlfriend

By Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.com
A Lowell man is facing 13 years in prison after a Washington County jury found him guilty of beating his former live-in girlfriend and preventing her from seeking medical attention.

The jury of eight women and four men deliberated less than two hours before returning the verdicts against Ronnie Goad, 33, of 7170 State Route 60.

Goad’s defense was a technical one, in which his attorney argued the man had beat the woman many times before without causing serious physical harm.

“I’m not trying to justify his actions, but for felonious assault, he’s got to know this could happen,” argued Washington County Public Defender Ray Smith.

In order for the jury to convict Goad of second-degree felonious assault, the evidence had to show he knew his actions were likely to cause serious physical harm. Smith’s argument was that because Goad had hit the woman before without breaking her nose that he couldn’t expect that to happen.

The jury didn’t seem to buy into the argument.

Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings said Goad had to know his actions could seriously injure the woman.

Rings said Goad’s ex-girlfriend, Jessica Poling, was sitting on the ground with her hands on her knees when Goad viciously punched her in the face. The blow broke the woman’s nose in three places and blackened both her eyes.

“She’s 5-foot, 3-inches and 120-pounds. Even if she was in a boxer’s stance she’s not terribly threatening,” Rings said. “But when she’s sitting like that she’s totally defenseless.”

Rings said the couple had been fighting outside their home about money before the incident.

Poling testified that after Goad struck her he carried her into their home and refused to let her get medical help until she agreed to lie about her injuries. It was six days before she reported to police what actually happened.

“I was just afraid,” Poling said.

“Of what?” Rings asked.

“His retaliation if I told the truth,” she said.

Poling added that she and Goad have a young child together and that she wanted the relationship to work.

Goad did not take the stand in his own defense. He showed no reaction to the verdict.

Specifically, he was found guilty of domestic violence, abduction and felonious assault.

Goad will be sentenced at 8 a.m. June 17 by Judge Susan Boyer. He remains free on bond while awaiting sentencing.