Love supersedes alleged domestic assault

PALMER -- A 73-year-old man has pleaded no contest in Palmer Superior Court to third-degree assault for allegedly hitting a woman in the head with a hammer.

Whether Johnnie Pierce actually struck the woman or not would have been the crux of a trial, if the case has gone that far. However, public defender Carmen Spiropoulis said her client decided to accept a plea bargain stipulating one year in prison rather than putting the woman through the ordeal of a criminal trial.

"He would have had to highlight a lot of her negative qualities," Spiropoulos said Monday after the session before Superior Court Judge Eric Smith.

Earlier, during the hearing, she told the court, "There still seems to be romantic involvement" between Pierce and the woman.

The case involved an Aug. 8, 2003, incident in which prosecutors contend Pierce used a hammer to place the victim in fear of serious harm. The class C felony could have cost Pierce up to five years in prison if found guilty of the charge.

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Gernat noted the couple's long-term relationship has involved violence in the past.

"She is still in pain from the injuries inflicted upon her," Gernat added.

Pierce said little during the court session, other than indicating he wished to put the incident behind him.

Spiropoulos said both people were "highly intoxicated" at the time of the alleged attack.