KINGMAN — A Kingman man has narrowly avoided a prison term for punching his girlfriend on July 3. Tre Gurrola, 34, was convicted of aggravated assault in a plea agreement.
Authorities have said that Gurrola became angry after finding something he didn’t like within the contents of the 33-year-old victim’s cell phone. She suffered a broken nose and a laceration during the assault in the residence she shared with Gurrola in the 3100 block of E. Northfield Avenue, and was battered and bloodied when she sought refuge at a neighbor’s residence.
It was noted during Gurrola’s Oct. 21 sentencing hearing that the victim has forgiven the defendant, and asked that he not be sent to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Deputy Mohave County attorney James Schoppmann said this is a case where the criminal justice system must protect a victim who is unable or unwilling to protect themselves.
Schoppmann argued prison punishment should be seriously considered given the nature of the victim’s injuries and that Gurrola was not impaired when he engaged in “pure rage’’ violence.
“I regret doing everything. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I apologize for this,” Gurrola said. “This is all on me. I just want to make things right.”
“It was a vicious beating that the victim suffered in this case,” said Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle.
Judge Carlisle placed Gurrola on probation for 4 years. He’ll remain in custody for about 6 more weeks as the Court imposed a 183-day jail sentence, crediting Gurrola for 109 days already served.
