Domestic violence assault nets 25 months jail

NEWPORT – A man who pleaded guilty to choking a woman in 2023 was sentenced to 25 months in jail by Pend Oreille County District Cout Judge Robin McCroskey, in her role as Superior Court Commissioner.

Zachary Thomas Harris, 37, pleaded guilty Thursday, Aug. 14, to an amended charge of third degree assault domestic violence for a September 2023 assault. He was originally charged with second degree assault.

Prosecuting attorney Dolly Hunt said that the victim was aware of the change of the charge.

“It was a serious domestic violence incident,” Hunt said. She said the victim said she cares about Harris, that she wanted her friend back, but said she was scared of him and wanted a no contact order. The victim emphasized Harris’s alcohol use.

The sentencing range for someone with Harris’s criminal record was 22-29 months. He’s had several previous felony charges going back to 2008, including burglary and assault.

Hunt asked for a 25-month sentence, 12 months community custody, that Harris complete the domestic violence perpetrator program and have a substance abuse evaluation and follow recommendations for treatment.

Defense attorney Brett Billingsly said that Harris was indigent. Billingsly said Harris would have some credit for time served. He said the evidence could have supported the more serious second-degree assault charge, so he thought it was a fair resolution. He said he hoped Harris would take advantage of any programs in prison, that the Department of Corrections had the best access to housing for when Harris completed his sentence.

“I sense from him a positive outlook going forward,” Billingsly said. “I hope he maintains that and takes advantage of any services the Department of Corrections can give him.”

McCroskey followed the joint recommendation and sentenced Harris to 25 months in prison, 12 months community custody. She found that he was indigent and waived court costs. She also sentenced him to complete the domestic violence perpetrator program and to undergo substance abuse disorder evaluation and to follow recommendations.

She said she hoped he could start and maybe complete treatment before he was released.

“The more you can get done while you’re in, the less you’ll have to do when you get out,” McCroskey said. She said that would give him an opportunity to start over. “But you’ve got to start over without alcohol or drugs.”

According to a statement of probable cause, witnesses saw Harris choking the victim in a car in downtown Newport in September 2023.