Walton sentenced for domestic assault
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
A 30-year-old Mars Hill man who evaded Maine State Police for nearly a month and was subsequently charged in connection with the beating of a local woman will now spend more than five years behind bars for his actions.
In July, Chad B. Walton appeared in Aroostook County Superior Court in Caribou for sentencing. He will serve 59 months in prison, with restitution set at $1,369 for the violent domestic assault that took place on Nov. 20, 2011 in Mars Hill. In addition, he’ll serve a six-month sentence for obstructing the report of a crime that stemmed from the assault.
At the time of the assault, the unidentified female was taken to a local hospital for serious facial injuries. The Maine State Police were notified and troopers began the search for Walton. Walton’s car was found about a week later abandoned in an Easton parking lot. Police impounded the vehicle and continued the search for Walton.
Walton was subsequently arrested and charged with the woman’s assault, following a traffic stop on I-95 on Dec. 12. Walton, who was a passenger in the vehicle, attempted to escape police by going into the woods. Troopers pursued Walton on foot, capturing him a short time later. Walton was arrested and transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, where he remained until he was sentenced in July.
According to court documents, the victim told police she and Walton had argued over money prior to his striking her over the head. She told police Walton then ripped a phone out of the wall.
Court documents also noted Walton was on probation at the time of the assault, after serving several months in jail for aggravated assault, violating conditions of release, terrorizing and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
In addition to the head injury, the victim indicated Walton had thrown her down on the couch, attempted to strangle her and punched her in the eye. She told police Walton had stated if he was going to jail he’d make it “worth his while.”
Police met with the victim a short time after the assault and witnessed her injuries, including marks on her neck, blood on her face and neck and her left eye swollen shut.
Walton initially pleaded not guilty and the court requested a mental health exam. Jeff Pickering of Houlton, Walton’s lawyer, wrote in the request for Walton’s exam that his client had “no specific memory” of the incident, due to a history of “blackouts.”
