Hamlin Township man sent to prison for assaulting wife.

William Buchanan with defense attorney Al Swanson, Jr.

Hamlin Township man sent to prison for assaulting wife.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON – A 29-year-old Hamlin Township man was sentenced to 15 months to 25 years in prison in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, June 4, for felony convictions of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, second-offense aggravated domestic violence and fourth-offense habitual offender.

William Geoffrey Buchanan, of 6597 W. Sassafras St., pleaded guilty to all counts April 23.

Buchanan was arrested last Februrary after Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital’s emergency room for a female assault victim who was being treated for a “serious neck injury,” said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. Buchanan’s wife was later transferred to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Cole said.

The assault occurred in the couple’s home.

A mandatory 25-year minimum due to his habitual offender status was dismissed as part of the plea agreement, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 10-46 months.

Buchanan was previously convicted in 2011 of domestic violence for the assault of his roommate, possession of analogues in 2009, and felony third-degree child abuse in 2013. In addition to his three prior felonies, he has 17 misdemeanor convictions and a juvenile history, said Spaniola.

“There is a long history of violent offenses on the part of this defendant,” the prosecutor said.

“Mr. Buchanan has accepted his responsibility for his actions,” said Buchanan’s attorney Al Swanson, Jr.

“I’d just like to apologize for making Mr. Spaniola have to see me again,” Buchanan said. “This is the time to change. I should have changed last time.”

“The conduct that brought you here is appalling,” said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “Your wife may have lifelong repercussions from what you did to her neck. I’m going to accept this plea agreement. I don’t like it – I think you need more time.” The judge noted that the Michigan Department of Corrections has a lot of leeway with the sentence, and Buchanan could end up serving up to 25 years.

He received credit for five days served in jail.

Sniegowski also ordered a concurrent one-year jail sentence for the second-offense aggravated domestic violence conviction.

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