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Christopher Merriman
Walkerville man pleads guilty to assault with knife.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART — A 39-year-old Walkerville man pleaded guilty to felonious assault Monday, Sept. 17, in 27th Circuit Court.
Christopher Lee Merriman, of 4427 N. 176th Ave., was arrested by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office for two counts of felonious assault following a June 11 incident in Leavitt Township.
Merriman wielded a utility knife at a female victim, according to his testimony.
“Was she cut or needed any medical attention?” asked Judge Bradley G. Lambrix. “No,” Merriman answered. “Did you threaten her with it or brandish it any way?” The judge asked. “Yes,” he answered.
In exchange for his plea to one count, the second count was dismissed. Merriman, who has been lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond since his arrest, will be sentenced to time served.
The sentence was “greatly discussed with the victim,” said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon, and she agrees that the sentencing is appropriate. Part of Merriman’s probation will be a condition that he continues counseling with Community Mental Health, Bizon said.
The maximum penalty for felonious assault is four years in prison.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 29 at 9 a.m.
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