Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence
Judge Convicts Man at Trial of Felony Assault Against Wife in 2022
NORFOLK, Va. — Aaron Dwayne Smalley, 42, was convicted at a bench trial on July 23 of felony third-offense assault and battery of a family member after a 2022 incident in which he beat his estranged wife and started and accelerated her car while she was sitting on its hood.
On Dec. 28, 2022, Mr. Smalley arrived at his wife’s apartment and began berating her. The victim attempted to leave the apartment, and Mr. Smalley took her car keys from her hand. The victim went outside to avoid further conflict and sat on the hood of her car while Mr. Smalley stayed inside to gather some belongings. When Mr. Smalley came outside, he got into the victim’s car with her keys, started the ignition, and quickly accelerated while the victim was still sitting on the hood. This caused the victim to roll over the top of the car and fall onto the sidewalk.
Mr. Smalley was charged with felony third-offense assault and battery of a family member due to his prior convictions in 2011 and 2012.
On July 23, Mr. Smalley pleaded not guilty to his charge and requested to be tried by a judge. After hearing the evidence, Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise found Mr. Smalley guilty. Mr. Smalley’s sentencing is set before Judge LeCruise on Oct. 24.
“People who engage in repeated acts of domestic violence are a serious danger for further acts of violence and domestic homicide,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “That is why a third such offense is a felony under Virginia law and why we prosecuted that case as such. We are gravely concerned for the survivor of this incident, are thankful that she was not hurt more seriously than she was, and will seek a sentence that will protect the survivor and the community from Mr. Smalley’s dangerous behavior.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Tara Sue Terwilliger prosecuted Mr. Smalley’s case, and Norfolk Police Officer Christopher Waters led the investigation.
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