KINGMAN – Information and input regarding his mental health issues helped a Mohave Valley man avoid a prison sentence. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert placed David Barton, 58, on supervised probation for five years during a July 22 hearing in Kingman.
Barton pleaded guilty to aggravated assault stemming from a March, 2018 incident in the 700 block of Center Street. A male victim told Mohave County sheriff’s deputies that a struggle occurred after Barton argued with him over a borrowed ATV tire.
The man said Barton grabbed him and dragged him along while driving his vehicle, resulting in deep cuts, scrapes and road rash. Barton was convicted of aggravated harassment for violating a court order to stay clear of the victim five months later.
Judge Lambert said it was bizarre that Barton drove circles around the victim’s home at night in August, 2018 before parking so that his headlights shined beams on the residence.
“We were shocked and saddened,” his brother-in-law said of Barton’s aggressive behavior. Defense attorney Lee Novak said Barton is now receiving treatment for bipolar and other disorders at Mohave Mental Health.
While Barton was spared a prison sentence, he was ordered to spend 213 days in the county jail. He must also perform 200 hours of community work service as a term of probation.
