City man guilty of assault
A Washington man was found guilty Thursday of beating the same woman on three separate occasions.
Ronald A. Patterson, 56, of 605 Ewing Street, was found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, two counts of simple assault and harassment after a three-day jury trial before Washington County Common Pleas Judge Gary Gilman.
The jury deliberated for roughly two hours before reaching its verdict. The harassment charge was a summary offense, and was not presented to the jury. Gilman found Patterson guilty after listening to the evidence.
Patterson was accused of assaulting the same woman three times in 2013 at his Ewing Street home. The first incident occurred June 1, 2013. Police were called to the residence for reports of a woman screaming. Patterson refused to open the door when police knocked and later struggled with police when they removed him from the home. A large laceration was found on the victim’s head, and she was taken to Washington Hospital for treatment. The second incident occurred Aug. 28, 2013. Police were again called to the home for reports of a woman screaming. The victim immediately exited the home when officers arrived, and was observed to have multiple injuries to her face. She was again taken to the hospital. The final encounter occurred Dec. 20, 2013. Police arrived after receiving reports Patterson was striking the woman with a cane. The woman had a laceration to her face and a contusion, but declined to go to the hospital.
Assistant District Attorney Kristin Clingerman said the case was “cut and dry.” She called seven police officers, two witnesses and an emergency room nurse who twice treated the women to testify. Clingerman said 911 recordings also were played in court.
“It was a good outcome,” she said.
Jack Puskar, Patterson’s attorney, said the pair had a relationship fueled by drugs and alcohol.
“I tired to show that it was a bad environment for everyone involved,” he said.
Puskar said he was disappointed in the outcome.
Patterson was returned to Washington County jail. Sentencing will be in January.