LAKE HAVASU CITY — Heartache over a broken marriage was cited in a Lake Havasu City domestic violence case resolved through plea agreement. Joseph Dorman, 60, is convicted of a charge reduced to attempted aggravated assault in a deal dismissing simple assault and threatening and intimidating counts.
Deputy Mohave County attorney James Gilmore said violence occurred during escalation of a verbal argument on April 8 at a residence in the 3500 block of Desert Garden Drive. The female victim, Dorman’s wife, told arriving officers that he threatened her life and choked and punched her.
“I’m going to put a bullet in your head,” quoted a police report referencing an audio recording the victim provided corroborating Dorman’s threats. “I’ve had enough of you.”
Defense attorney George Hibbeler told Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen that the episode was an abberation for a man who had no previous criminal history whatsoever. “This was just probably the worst day of his life.”
“I’d like to apologize to my wife,” Dorman said. “I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t want to harm anybody.”
Though they’re divorcing, Dorman thanked his wife for partnering in the creation of their two daughters. His wife was present at the September 23 sentencing hearing and confirmed it’s her wish that Dorman not receive any additional jail time.
Judge Jantzen obliged her wish by ordering three days jail, crediting Dorman for three days already served, and placing him on probation.
