Man sentenced to year in jail for strangling wife.

Thomas Gager, left, with attorney Tim Hayes.

Man sentenced to year in jail for strangling wife.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART – A 24-year-old Bitely man was sentenced to one year in jail Monday, March 9, in 27th Circuit Court for a conviction of assault with intent to create great bodily harm less than murder/strangulation.

Thomas Jay Gager, of 2316 W. Pinewood Blvd., pleaded guilty to the charge Jan. 13.

Gager also faced charges of felonious assault and two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, which were dismissed in a plea agreement.

Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon offered a plea agreement with a minimum sentence not to exceed 30 months if Gager pleaded guilty.

Gager was out on bond for domestic violence at the time of the offense, Bizon said. He had no prior criminal record before the first domestic charge, however. The alleged assault occurred Oct. 11 in the Village of Walkerville, and the victim suffered “significant injuries,” he said.

“We had an argument,” Gager testified. “I pushed against her chest and pushed her against the wall.” He admitted when questioned by Judge Robert D. Springstead that he observed the victim experiencing trouble breathing.

Sentencing guidelines in the case were re-scored at 10-23 months.

Gager received credit for 150 days served in jail. Judge Springstead ordered that he have no contact with the victim. The judge also ordered probation for two years.

Gager must successfully complete the Tri-Cap program, which includes domestic violence and substance abuse treatment.

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