AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Burnet County jury sentenced a man to 60 years in prison earlier this week for an assault against a family member by choking, according to a news release from District Attorney Perry Thomas’ office.
In addition to the sentence, 33-year-old Keith Aaron Blundell also has to pay a fine of $10,000, according to the DA’s office. Additionally, the prosecution provided evidence show Blundell was previously convicted on two prior felony offenses, which included a conviction for aggravated assault against a family member out of Harris County, the release said.
“This case demonstrates this office’s commitment to doing everything we can to protect those that have been victims of violence crime,” Thomas said in the release.
On June 16, 2024, deputies with the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office responded to an address off County Road 304 “to check on the welfare” of the victim.
“The victim showed clear physical signs of having been assaulted, sustaining injuries to her face, head and eyes,” the release said.
The injuries to the victim’s neck “were consistent with having been strangled,” according to the DA’s office. The woman told BCSO she was assaulted and choked “until the passed out.”
According to the DA’s office, Blundell called the victim and “urged” her not to testify against him in court. Prosecutors played the phone calls during the trial for the jury to hear. The woman did not appear for the trial, the release said.
“The phone calls, along with the victim’s previous statements to deputies at the scene of the crime, were sufficient for the jury to find Blundell guilty,” the DA’s office said.
Blundell faced a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of life in prison, due to his two prior convictions, according to the DA’s office.
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