Talore Nielsen-Johnson and Robert Nielsen each accepted plea deals.
DILLINGHAM: Talore C. Nielsen-Johnson, 28, was arrested in May 2014 after her domestic partner reported a brutal attack at their Dillingham home. The victim reported being strangled three times and fearing for her life, only able to get away after the landlord burst into the home and broke off the attack. A police officer observed “severe” bruising underneath the victim’s jaw, and red marks and petechiae around the facial area.
Nielsen-Johnson was indicted on second degree assault, but that charge was reduced to assault in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor, as part of a plea deal. On April 30, Nielsen-Johnson accepted the deal and agreed to a flat one year jail sentence.
Judge Douglass told the defendant that she was getting a break.
“You need to understand, in Alaska, when you put you put your hands on someone’s throat, you get a felony. So you’ve gotten a good deal here,” said Douglass. “Hopefully this stint will deter you. The next time you get mad, just walk away.”
Nielsen-Johnson said she had been a “productive” inmate, and had attended treatment and a number of job training classes. She was expected to be released on time already served.
On May 4, Robert Nielsen, 57, of Dillingham, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in a domestic violence assault case dating to January. Nielsen was originally charged with first degree assault after he hit a family member with a ball-peen hammer, breaking the victim’s arm. The attack happened during an altercation at the Cottonwood Apartments.
Nielsen pleaded guilty to third degree assault, and was sentenced to 16 months of jail time with 11 suspended, leaving five to serve. He’ll remain on probation for three years.
Assistant district attorney Duke Circle said the victim in the case supported the arrangement. Nielsen’s attorney Chris Lesch of the Public Defenders Agency said Nielsen was the actual victim, and his actions were done in self-defense.
Nielsen was expected to be released on time-served.