A Wiscasset man accused of assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Waldoboro and Wiscasset on the same day in March pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic violence assault during a hearing in Lincoln County Superior Court in Wiscasset on Monday, Sept. 21.
Luke Morse, 23, pleaded guilty to class D domestic violence assault, a misdemeanor. Morse had initially been charged with class B aggravated assault, in addition to the domestic violence charge. The aggravated assault charge was dismissed.
Morse received a sentence of 364 days with all but six months suspended for the domestic violence assault conviction, in addition to 18 months of probation following the completion of his sentence at Two Bridges Regional Jail.
The terms of Morse’s probation prohibit contact with the victim.
The state was represented by Assistant District Attorney Katie Hollstrom. David Turesky, an attorney out of Portland, represented the defense.
Morse allegedly pulled a 16-year-old girl down a flight of stairs, slammed her head into a floor, and strangled her on March 17, according to an affidavit by Waldoboro Police Officer Larry Hesseltine.
Morse allegedly assaulted the girl at his Wiscasset residence first, according to the affidavit.
Morse “grabbed her by the legs and pulled her off the bed and down the stairs,” Hesseltine said. “Morse then picked (her) up in a bear-hug-type hold and drove her head-first into the door frame to the bedroom,” injuring her eye.
Morse had also been accused of assaulting the girl at a Waldoboro home later the same day.
Morse “grabbed (her) around the throat and strangled her … During the choking incident Morse slammed (her) head into the floor,” injuring her other eye, Hesseltine said. The aggravated assault charge related to the Waldoboro incident was dismissed.
The girl sustained visible injuries to her face, neck, and arms, Hesseltine said.
Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline arrested Morse back in Wiscasset later the same day.
