He must also wear a GPS monitor while on probation.
Photo: Everett Leroy Barton, Jr.
Frederick, Md (KM) In Frederick County Circuit Court on Thursday, a Monrovia man was handed a stiff sentence in a domestic violence incident. Everett Leroy Barton, Jr., 61, was sentenced to 25 years in prison with all but 15 years suspended. He will also be placed on five-years of supervised probation after he’s released from prison.
Barton was convicted on June 3rd of 1st- and 2nd-degree assault in connection with an incident on April 19th, 2020, where Barton had been fighting with his wife.
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith says prosecutors asked for a harsh sentence for Barton. “He strangled her very severely, punching holes in the wall, threatening her. Ultimately went upstairs, got a kitchen knife and threatened her with that as well. So we were happy to see that outcome,” Smith says.
“Strangulation is obviously a very terrifying form of abuse. It’s also very, very strongly linked to the future risk of intimate partner homicides,” Smith continues. “Usually, previous strangulations result in future homicides.”
As part of his five-years supervised probation, Barton must wear a GPS monitor. “The GPS is something that they put on these types of offenders because we do see that after they’re released, a lot of times they’re just not over this. They go back to their prior intimate partner and stalk them , harass them. So the GPS assists with monitoring that potential situation,” Smith says.
During his trial, Barton’s spouse testified against her husband about this incident last year. She also mentioned previous domestic abuse during the victim impact statement at sentencing.
“At sentencing, Barton had zero remorse; none whatsoever,” says Smith. “The only thing he told the court is he’s sorry the jury didn’t believe him.”
Barton will be serving his sentenced with the Maryland Division of Corrections.
By Kevin McManus