By Shereen Siewert
WAUSAU — A 28-year-old Wausau man will spend 20 years in prison for violently assaulting a former girlfriend last year at a Weston residence.
Carrington D. Franklin was sentenced Tuesday in Marathon County Circuit Court on charges of second degree recklessly endangering safety, intimidating a victim, burglary, battery, strangulation/suffocation and disorderly conduct. Circuit Judge Greg Strasser handed down the sentence, which also calls for 17 years extended supervision for Franklin following his eventual release from prison.
As part of a plea agreement, charges of attempted first degree intentional homicide were dropped.
Strasser sentenced Franklin to 8 years initial confinement on the burglary charge, 3 years on the substantial battery charge, 5 years on the strangulation/suffocation charge, and 2 years each on the reckless endangerment and victim intimidation charges. Those sentences are to be served consecutive to one another.
A one-year term for misdemeanor disorderly conduct and battery charges will be served concurrent to the sentences for the more serious crimes and will not result in additional time behind bars.
One reason for the lengthy sentence: the charges carry a “repeater” enhancement, which automatically tacks on additional time.
The statute covering the repeater enhancer is titled “Habitual Criminality.” A person is deemed a repeater if either of the following circumstances exist:
- The person was convicted of a felony during the 5-year period immediately preceding the commission of the crime for which the person is being sentenced.
- The person was convicted of a 3 separate misdemeanors during the 5-year period immediately preceding the commission of the crime for which the person is being sentenced.
Franklin has two previous felony convictions in Wisocnsin: one for possessing a short-barreled shotgun or rifle, the other for armed robbery, according to court documents.
Everest Metro Police were called to the home in February 2019 in response to a 911 call in which they could hear a woman screaming. Chief Clay Schulz previously told Wausau Pilot and Review the victim suffered substantial injuries and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.
When Franklin is released from prison, he will be monitored by corrections agents and will be required to maintain bsolute sobriety from alcohol and controlled substances.
Franklin was remanded to the Wisconsin Prison System immediately after sentencing.
