Eric Michael Hall booking photo from the Cache County Jail.

LOGAN — A 29-year-old Wellsville man has been sentenced to one year in jail for physically harming a woman during a domestic dispute last October. Eric Michael Hall asked a judge for leniency, while expressing regret for his actions.

Hall was sentenced Wednesday morning in 1st District Court. He previously accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to aggravated assault and kidnapping, both second-degree felonies; and two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, a third-degree felony.

On Oct. 2, Cache County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a Wellsville home on reports of a verbal domestic dispute in progress. As they approached the residence, they heard Hall say something about choking another person.

Deputies knocked on the door and rang the doorbell but no one answered. As they looked into the window, they could see a female with severe head injuries that was bleeding profusely.

Deputies reported the victim was covered in blood and was bleeding from multiple head injuries. Her eyes were swollen almost completely shut. She also appeared to have a broken nose, multiple cuts on her face and marks on her throat, consistent with someone who has been strangled, according to the affidavit.

Paramedics transported the woman to the hospital.

Deputies described a trail of blood through parts of the house. There was blood splatter on the walls and furniture, and a pool of blood on the floor.

The victim told deputies that she and Hall had been drinking earlier in the evening. Later, the two got into a verbal altercation that turned physical.

During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, defense attorney Ryan Holdaway said his client admits, regrets and deeply owns what he did. He said Hall had a long history of trauma in his life and needed treatment instead of incarceration.

Hall told the court, there wasn’t a day that goes by he doesn’t regret what he did. He begged for treatment instead of jail, saying he took accountability for his actions.

Cache County Deputy Attorney Andrew Crane said considering what happened to the victim, he recommended the court sentence the defendant to prison or at least consecutive jail sentences.

Judge Brian Cannell recognized Hall had a difficult childhood, being abandoned by his parents, and exposed to drugs and alcohol. He didn’t excuse what happened and said no person should ever fear for their life the way the victim did. He expressed heartbreak for what happened but hoped that the woman could find healing.

Hall was sentenced to serve 365 days in jail, but given credit for 205 days already served. He will then have to check into an in-patient treatment center, while also being on probation for years.


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