Hawley sentenced to seven years for beating girlfriend

A man was sentenced to Montana State Prison for the next 7 years for beating his girlfriend in Havre last year in a case that captured the attention of the Montana Attorney General’s office after it initially was dismissed due to the lack of a prosecutor.

Eric J. Hawley, born in 1976, was sentenced Monday morning in District Court in Havre for his fourth felony partner or family member assault conviction. District Judge Dan Boucher credited him with 160 days served.

Hawley’s assaults happened against three different women and he was on parole for his third sentence when he hit the latest victim in Havre in July 2016.

“It does appear Mr. Hawley has become an increasing threat to the women in his life,” Boucher said after issuing the sentence, asking Hawley if he knew that next time he may kill someone.

The Montana Assistant Attorney General’s office took over the Hawley case in place of Hill County Attorney Jessica Cole-Hodgkinson after the charges against Hawley were dismissed in February. The case was on its way to a jury trial when, Cole-Hodgkinson said at the time, she had lost contact with the victim the day before.

The victim, who said at the time that her cellphone was not working that day, said she had provided several other ways to be reached. She sued the county for $1 million on the grounds of gross incompetence by the county attorney.

Boucher later dismissed the lawsuit, saying the victim’s allegations lacked factual basis and that the county attorney is immune from civil liability.

The victim said the lawsuit had achieved the intended results, as the charges against Hawley were refiled.

The victim, who was assaulted by Hawley July 18, 2016, in their shared home while he was drunk, was in court Monday morning but did not address the court. Assistant Attorney General Chad Parker said it was out of fear she did not testify.

The victim has been severely traumatized by the assault, Parker said, asking Boucher to issue the judgement of seven years agreed to in the plea agreement.

Probation and Parole Officer Janet Haas, recommended Monday that Hawley receive more time — 10 years.

Hawley has been part of multiple programs including chemical dependency programs, and nothing seems to have worked, Haas said. Hawley would come out of the programs positive and, she added, he had even done well. But it would never last, Haas said, and Hawley again would drink and become violent. Alcohol, all parties including Hawley, agreed Monday was the common denominator in all of his assaults.

Regional Deputy Public Defender Kaydee Snipes Ruiz, who defended Hawley, called Matthew Moore of Set Free Ministries to testify.

Moore said that since Hawley has been in the Hill County Detention Center, no inmate has been more involved and consistent when it came to attending meetings. Despite previous attempts at sobriety, Moore said the difference this time is that Hawley had given his addiction over to a “higher power.”

Before sentencing, Boucher gave Hawley a chance to speak.

Hawley, between sobs, said he made a horrible decision by drinking. Drinking, he added, is something he just couldn’t get past no matter how hard he tried.

“I feel sorry for everyone I hurt,” he said.