Prison inmate sentenced for strangulation.

Rickert

Prison inmate sentenced for strangulation.

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By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. 

LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old prison inmate was sentenced to three to 20 years in prison in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 5, for convictions of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder — strangulation and third-offense domestic violence.

Stewart Albert Rickert III, whose last address is listed in Muskegon, pleaded “no contest” to the charges Feb. 8. A charge of interfering with an electronic communications device was dismissed.

Rickert was arrested last May by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

Rickert is currently serving a prison term of two years and 10 months to 10 years for third-degree home invasion, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records. 

Defense attorney Michael Boyle said the matter was dismissed but subsequently refiled. 

The victim in the case moved out of the state to avoid the defendant, said Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Beth Hand.

Judge Susan K. Sniegowski gave Rickert credit for two days served in jail. Restitution in the case is reserved for 90 days.

“He is attempting to move forward,” said defense attorney Boyle. “Things in his life have caused undue hardship that had a ripple effect on other people. He looks forward to future years from now of what life is going to be like. He is trying to take that next step to move forward.”

“This is someone who is a caring individual and someone who has regrets,” said the attorney.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 29-85 months, said the judge.

The maximum term for the domestic assault conviction is 10 years and the maximum for the strangulation conviction is 20 years. The two counts run concurrently. The case also runs concurrently to criminal cases in other counties.

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