McCormick given deferred sentence

A Eureka man who pleaded guilty to a strangulation charge in December received a deferred, two-year sentence in Lincoln County District Court on Jan. 27.

Authorities arrested Christopher Lee McCormick, 52, after he assaulted his wife. Responding officers found the victim distraught and suffering from bruises and red marks around her neck, according to court documents.

In an affidavit, Eureka Police officer Grigori Neils wrote that McCormick appeared intoxicated. Officers physically placed McCormick, who was struggling to walk and resisting, into a cruiser, Neils wrote.

The victim told authorities McCormick had been drinking when the couple began arguing about finances, which led to the assault, court documents said. Neils reported that he had responded to past incidents at the couple’s home.

McCormick initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, which included partner or family member assault. Prosecutors dropped the latter charge as part of a plea agreement struck last month.

During the sentencing hearing, District Judge Matthew Cuffe said he was aware McCormick was mixing alcohol and medications at the time and has since stopped — “which I think is good,” he said.

Still, “these are very serious allegations,” Cuffe told McCormick. “Everyone agrees that these are very serious allegations.”

McCormick did not make a statement during the hearing.

He also will receive 27 days credit for time served.