Italy man sentenced to 50 years for domestic abuse

Photo courtesy Ellis County District Attorney's Office.

Ronald Darrin Combs, 47, of Italy, Texas, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on April 2.

ITALY — On April 2, 2015, Ronald Darrin Combs, 47, of Italy, Texas, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

On November 25, 2013, Combs, who had been drinking for several hours, became angry with his live-in girlfriend and repeatedly struck her in the face and body throughout the night. The girlfriend testified that Combs refused to allow her to leave their home.

During trial, prosecutors Habon Mohamed and Grace Pandithurai presented evidence that on multiple times that night Combs held a knife to his girlfriend’s throat and threatened to kill her and throw her body into a ditch. The girlfriend was finally able to flee the home after Combs passed out.

The jury also heard testimony from Alecia Peters, the Executive Director of Healing Hearts Center that the victim had no place to stay and was taken to the local domestic violence shelter. Ms. Peters testified that for a few weeks after the assault the victim suffered from nightmares. Ms. Peters reminded the jury that oftentimes the psychological bruises of abuse last longer than physical abuse.

During the punishment phase of the trial, prosecutors presented evidence about Combs’ numerous felony convictions for burglary of a habitation, theft, and injury to a child. The jury heard testimony from the victim in the injury to a child case.

Now 18, she told the jury about what Combs had done to her when she was 13. She asked the jury to lock Combs away for a long time so that he would never be able to hurt another child.

Because he was a habitual offender, Combs faced from 25 years to 99 years or life in prison. He must serve at least half of his sentence, 25 years, before he can be considered for parole.

Press release released by Ellis County & District Attorney Patrick Wilson.