By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo has sentenced Gerald Serrano to one year in prison, with all but 30 days suspended, for assault and battery in a domestic violence case. Serrano will not be eligible for parole or early release during the 30-day period he must serve.
Serrano pleaded guilty on Jan. 8. Judge Govendo ordered him to report to the Department of Corrections on Jan. 18. Serrano is scheduled for release on Feb. 14 at 8 a.m.
Serrano, 33, had posted 10% of his $20,000 cash bail. He was initially charged with assault and battery, strangulation, domestic violence, and disturbing the peace after allegedly attacking his wife with an extension cord.
In his four-page judgment and commitment order, Judge Govendo also placed Serrano on three years of supervised probation upon release. Serrano must complete counseling, pay $125 in court costs, and comply with other conditions.
Serrano was represented by the Public Defender’s Office. Assistant Attorney General Frannie Demapan represented the government.
According to the complaint, a female friend of Serrano’s wife went to the Department of Public Safety on Aug. 31 seeking help for the victim, who was waiting in a vehicle in the DPS parking lot.
A police officer met the victim and observed bruising on her left elbow, the right side of her neck, her chest, and a rash on her left outer thigh. She told police her husband caused the injuries and declined medical attention. A crime scene technician photographed the injuries.
The victim said the incident began the night of Aug. 30 at her mother’s house, where the family was celebrating her brother’s arrival from the Philippines. She sent a taxi to pick up her husband and bring him to the gathering, where they drank alcohol.
She told police her husband looked through her phone and gave her a sarcastic smile, as if he had found something incriminating. They left the house around 1:30 a.m., with Serrano driving.
On the main road, she said Serrano yelled at her, asking, “Why is this number still on your blocked contacts for WhatsApp?” and accused her of cheating. She said she opened the passenger door in an attempt to commit suicide, but Serrano grabbed her left arm to stop her. He then grabbed a fistful of her hair with his right hand and refused to let go.
When they arrived home, she said she was afraid to get out of the car. She said Serrano opened the passenger door, grabbed her feet, and dragged her across gravel, then grass, and up a small flight of steps into their apartment. Inside, he carried her to the bedroom and threw her onto the bed.
She told police Serrano sat on her stomach, held her hands above her head with one hand, and with the other hand looped a white extension cord around her neck three times, strangling her. She cried loudly, hoping someone would hear. Eventually, she stopped resisting, unsure what else to do. Serrano later released her.
The victim said she eventually left the bedroom, went outside, got into the vehicle, and fell asleep in the back seat. She woke around 6 a.m., cleaned herself up inside the house, and called her friend to pick her up before disclosing the assault.
Police arrested Serrano after interviewing the victim.
