July 17, 2003

Contact:

Denver DA's Office, 720-913-9000

81-YEAR-OLD WIFE-BEATER AVERTS PRISON SENTENCE

Johnnie Hamm (DOB: 7-28-21), an 81-year-old man, pleaded guilty yesterday to third-degree assault (M1) on his wife and was sentenced in Denver County Court to a year of supervised probation and $288 in fines and costs.

Hamm was originally charged with second-degree assault on an at-risk adult (F3), an “extraordinary risk crime” which carries a presumptive range of 4-16 years in prison and a $3,000-$750,000 fine. The felony charge was dismissed.

He was arrested on June 14, 2003 for striking his wife with a cane and threatening her during an argument. The woman, also elderly, suffered a laceration.

 DEATH OF MAN FOUND TO BE SELF-DEFENSE

Charges will not be filed against Benjamin Hernandez (DOB: 7-23-82), who killed his mother’s boyfriend in a domestic dispute on Saturday, July 12, 2003.

Hernandez was under investigation for felony murder (F1), but the District Attorney’s Office has determined that he acted in self-defense.

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