A Douglas County judge Monday ordered a 35-year-old man to serve two years on probation for hitting his estranged wife with a car last summer.
A jury in November convicted Michael C. Pringle of intentional aggravated battery after prosecutors argued he struck his wife, Melissa Pringle, in a Holcom Park parking lot July 11 after they had an argument at one of their son’s T-ball games. The Pringles are divorcing, attorneys said. Prosecutors said two women testified that they saw Michael Pringle drive toward the woman, causing her to fall down and injuring her elbow and knee.
District Judge Sally Pokorny said Pringle had minimal prior criminal history and that he qualified for probation under state guidelines. If he violates terms of his probation, he faces a 12-month prison sentence.
Catherine Decena Skinner, an assistant Douglas County district attorney, said a domestic violence “tag” will be placed on his criminal record, under a provision of a recent Kansas law meant to track repeat domestic violence offenders. Pringle also must complete an assessment and follow recommended treatment for domestic battery offenders.
Michael Tubbs, Pringle's defense attorney, said he planned to appeal the conviction. Tubbs had argued evidence in the case was inconsistent and that the incident "at worst case" was an accident.
Comments
jhawkinsf 1 year, 5 months ago
Probation. That'll teach him.
DRsmith 1 year, 5 months ago
Good. If it were the woman that hit her husband they would have given her a medal.
Ron Holzwarth 1 year, 5 months ago
Excuse me, but only "two years on probation" is making me very angry. She could have been so easily killed. In some places, attempted murder charges would have been filed, and upheld by a conviction.
And they are even going to "appeal the conviction."
Well that is very good! I hope that there is an appeal, and next time he'll get a much more realistic sentencing.
Ron Holzwarth 1 year, 5 months ago
But, here's what I don't know: If found guilty on appeal, can the sentence given be more harsh?
srj 1 year, 5 months ago
Can't lock up everyone. I guess. The system gives you a break, the first time anyway.
Sigmund 1 year, 5 months ago
You know he misses her sometimes, just not this time.
notwhatyouthink 1 year, 5 months ago
at least he has a felony on his record. Moral of the story hire a better lawyer.
deec 1 year, 5 months ago
Good thing it wasn't after park closing time when he ran her down. He might have received a stiffer sentence.
cheeseburger 1 year, 5 months ago
As well he should have if he had violated the park closing law. In that way, it would show that the law wasn't selectively enforced upon your brethren in South Park.
Andini 1 year, 5 months ago
Was a T-ball game worth this?
catfishturkeyhunter 1 year, 5 months ago
Like Chris Rock once said, "you haven't been in love untill you have contemplated murder"
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