FLINT, Mich. – A jury has found Derek Cordell Garner, Sr, 57, of Flint, guilty on all counts related to a 2020 assault on his girlfriend.
Garner, Sr., was convicted of six felonies, including assault by strangulation and with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder; domestic violence third offense; assault with the intent to commit criminal sexual conduct involving penetration; interference with an electronic communications device; criminal sexual conduct first degree; and kidnapping.
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According to testimony at trial, on May 2, 2020, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Flint police were dispatched to Herrick Street about an unknown incident.
When they arrived, they said they found a group of people gathered on a sidewalk, and one of them immediately ran to the police and pointed at a man standing nearby, later identified as Garner, Sr, and told the police he had just violently assaulted her.
Police observed the woman to have swelling and bruising to the left side of her forehead, lips, and mouth. Her mouth was covered in blood, and she had blood on her legs and arms.
Further testimony revealed that the woman had been living with the 57-year-old for almost two months, and on the date of the incident, Garner, Sr, began beating her and raped her after she refused his advances.
According to the woman, she was able to escape out a window and ran through neighboring yards, yelling for help as Garner, Sr, chased her and continued to beat her. One neighbor who heard the screams called the police.
Garner, Sr, faces up to life in prison or a term of years when sentenced.