Woman pleads ‘no contest’ to assault with intent to do great bodily harm

Markie Castillo used a blunt instrument, such as a hammer or bat, to assault a man with whom she had an ‘on-and-off’ relationship.

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

HART — A 34-year-old Walkerville woman pleaded “no contest” to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, June 2, for the assault of a 44-year-old Walkerville man last November.

Castillo

Markie Marie Castillo, of 5481 Deer Rd., was arrested, Nov. 15, shortly after 10:30 a.m. in Leavitt Township. It appears that Castillo and the victim were in an “on-and-off” romantic relationship, said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon. 

Castillo is expected to receive a prison term of five to 10 years, which exceeds the sentencing guidelines for the case. 

“Sentencing guidelines are 19-38 months,” said Prosecutor Bizon. “However, there is an agreed sentence of five years to 10 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections. This result was agreed to by the victim.”

Charges of assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon were dismissed. Castillo remains lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond.

Assault with intent to murder is punishable by up to life in prison; assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder carries a maximum of 10 years in prison; and felonious assault is punishable by up to four years in prison, said Bizon.

“The victim suffered significant injuries that will require a lot of recovery,” said the prosecutor. “He has been to court on several occasions. He appears to be healing and has expressed improvement but also appears to have a lot of healing and recovery ahead of him.

“There has never been a definitive answer on what the weapon was,” he explained. “On the date of the crime, it was thought it might be a knife. However, as the victim has recovered, memory is now believed it was a blunt instrument like a hammer or bat.”

Sentencing is set for Aug. 4 at 9:10 a.m.

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