Man pleads ‘no contest’ to assault with intent to commit great bodily harm

April 22, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

Pulsipher

HART — A 57-year-old Hesperia man pleaded “no contest” to a felony of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder during a final pretrial hearing in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, April 22.

Joseph Owen Pulsipher, of 9430 E. Filmore Rd., agreed to serve a five to 10 year prison term, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. Pulsipher remains lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $250,000 bond. The charge stems from a violent encounter with another man over a woman. He was originally charged with assault with intent to murder, which will be dismissed in exchange for his plea to the lesser charge.

Pulsipher had previously rejected the plea offer, and the matter was scheduled for trial next month. In light of the plea, the trial will not happen. 

“(Pulsipher) was making allegations of an affair,” previously said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.

The assault of the 64-year-old Hesperia man occurred, April 1, 2023 in the 6500 block of East M 20 in Newfield Township. 

“Deputies were dispatched to the residence, and the resident there said that a second gentleman pulled into the driveway and began an altercation that turned into a felonious assault with death threats,” said Sheriff Mast. 

“The suspect donned a knife. The victim defended himself by striking him several times during the altercation. After the physical altercation, the suspect got up from the ground; got into his van; and rammed the victim’s pickup truck. He rammed several times, and the victim had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the suspect’s vehicle on multiple occasions. The victim said he then proceeded to grab a baseball bat to defend himself. He did use the bat to break out the window of the van as the suspect was attempting to run him over.”

Both Pulsipher’s and the victim’s vehicles were damaged, and both men received medical treatment, said the sheriff. 

 

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