By Staff
CASSOPOLIS - A Dowagiac woman who violently slapped and assaulted her partially blind 70-year-old mother was found guilty of domestic violence by a Cass County jury on Tuesday.
The senior citizen had shown a willingness to help others, including allowing Donna True, her 44-old-daughter, to live in her home at 206 Elizabeth St.
The daughter took advantage of the situation and the mother was soon sleeping in sparse conditions in the laundry room.
On Oct. 24, 2004, tempers flared and the defendant attacked her elderly mother, slapping her in the face, pushing the frail woman down and using a bowl to inflict injuries to her mother's arms.
The domestic violence case was presented to the jury by Cass County Assistant Prosecutor Cara Hornbach.
Fourth District Court Judge Paul Deats presided over the trial.
Pictures introduced revealed cut and scrape marks on both arms of the victim.
Testimony confirmed that the defendant caused those injuries.
Hornbach argued that the defendant repeatedly attacked a victim unable to see, let alone fend off the attacks.
The two-man, four-woman jury agreed and returned an "as charged" verdict in five minutes.
Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz on Wednesday credited the quick victory to solid work by the Dowagiac Police Department, a dedicated prosecutor's staff and increased public awareness concerning the dangers of domestic violence.
Fitz stated, "Today's public realizes that there is no such thing as an unimportant domestic violence case."
True will be scheduled for sentencing later this month and faces up to a year in the county jail.
The defendant has been convicted of domestic violence on three previous occasions.