Man gets prison time for assault on friend

Apr. 4—LIMA — A Lima man with an admitted alcohol addiction problem was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for assaulting a woman with whom he had been in a relationship.

Larece Kelly, 39, of Lima, pleaded guilty last month to a count of burglary, a felony of the second degree. In exchange for that plea, prosecutors dismissed a charge of strangulation, a third-degree felony.

According to court documents, officers from the Lima Police Department responded to the report of an assault Nov. 22 of last year. The female caller said the incident occurred at her residence and identified Kelly, who she said was a friend, as her attacker.

The victim told police Kelly had been drinking and asked her about an ex-boyfriend when the altercation started. Kelly allegedly became angry and grabbed the woman by her throat, causing her to lose consciousness. The woman said she woke up on the floor with Kelly punching her in the head and face.

Investigating officers observed numerous bruises and abrasions on the neck of the alleged victim, court documents show.

Assistant Allen County Public Defender Megan McLean said Kelly has exhibited "a pattern of alcohol use that is related to the offense" and asked the court to impose a sentence of community control with mandatory alcohol and anger management treatment.

Kelly apologized to the victim in the case and told Judge Terri Kohlrieser that alcohol "makes me make poor decisions."

The judge said a prison sentenced was warranted due to prior criminal convictions and "a lengthy history of violence" by Kelly in the past.

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