October 2, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski, 989.269.9255
On October 1, 2024, a Huron County jury found Jeffery Sample guilty of two counts of Domestic Violence and one count of Malicious Destruction of a Building.
The Investigation
The charges arose out of an investigation by the Huron County Sheriff’s Department. On March 1, 2024, Huron County Dispatch received a call from the victim stating that she and the Defendant had been involved in an altercation on the evening of February 29, 2024. Deputy David Navock conducted an investigation into the victim’s allegations determining that Mr. Sample had come home intoxicated during the evening of February 28th. Afterwards, an argument ensued, during which Mr. Sample grabbed the victim by her upper arms and threw her on a bed. Eventually the victim was able to retreat to the downstairs bathroom. Mr. Sample followed the victim to the bathroom and during a subsequent argument, Mr. Sample knocked the contents of a child’s potty chair on the victim and bathroom walls and floor. While the victim was taking a shower to clean herself up, Mr. Sample pushed his way through the barricaded bathroom door, breaking the door. When interviewed by Deputy Navock, Mr. Sample admitted to breaking the door and knocking the contents of the potty chair all over the victim and the bathroom.
The defendant was arraigned on March 4, 2024, on a Domestic Violence 2nd Offense charge, which was later amended to two charges of Domestic Violence 2nd Offense and an additional charge of Malicious Destruction of a Building.
The Jury Trial
A full day jury trial was held in the 73B District Court on October 1, 2024, and was tried by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Hunter. The evidence included testimony from the victim and Deputy David Navock, as well as video and photographic evidence documenting the damage to the building and the results of the domestic violence altercation. The victim also testified to earlier assaults the defendant committed against her.
After 60 minutes of deliberation, a jury of one woman and five men found Sample guilty of two counts of Domestic Violence and one count of Malicious Destruction of a Building. After the rendering of the Jury’s verdict, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Hunter motioned the court to reopen proofs to move for the admission of Mr. Sample’s prior conviction of Domestic Violence. Judge Herrington admitted the certified copy of the conviction and upon motion by Mr. Hunter, amended the two Domestic Violence Convictions to two convictions of Domestic Violence – Second Offense.
A Domestic Violence – Second Offense Charge carries a sentence of up to one year in jail. A Malicious Destruction of a Building charge carries a sentence of up to 93 days in jail. Judge Herrington will sentence the Defendant on October 16, 2024.
