A Durango man who kidnapped and choked his ex-wife was sentenced Friday in 6th Judicial District Court to three years probation.
Randall Wilcox’s probation agreement requires him to obtain domestic violence and substance abuse evaluations and to comply with any recommended treatments. He also must abide by a protection order and the custody agreement involving him, his ex-wife and their children.
Before his sentencing, Wilcox pleaded guilty to kidnapping and assault, both acts of domestic violence. Wilcox received a deferred judgment for kidnapping – meaning the charge will be cleared from his official record if he fulfills the requirements of his probation.
The charges stem from last November when Wilcox broke into his ex-wife’s apartment in the 800 block of Goeglein Gulch Road. The victim said she awoke in the middle of the night barely able to breathe, with stars in her vision and Wilcox standing over her. As she started to scream, Wilcox told her she was being too loud and began to choke her, letting go only when their son walked into the room, according to an arrest affidavit.
The woman said she left the house and waited on a grassy hill outside. But Wilcox later pulled up driving her car with their children inside. The woman said Wilcox demanded she get into the vehicle, and after she refused, picked her up and forced her into the front seat before taking off toward downtown Durango, according to an arrest affidavit.
The woman said she attempted to escape the vehicle but Wilcox punched her and choked her until she almost lost consciousness. At a stoplight, the woman said she again tried to flee, managing to exit the vehicle before Wilcox also exited and grabbed her again, according to the arrest affidavit.
Eventually, Wilcox drove the family back to the woman’s apartment. He exited the vehicle with the children, and the woman remained inside the vehicle and locked the doors. She called police about 5 a.m. Police arrived to found Wilcox in the 600 block of Goeglein Gulch Road walking away from the scene.
As Wilcox stood before the judge Friday in court, he appeared quiet and remorseful, replying “No sir,” when asked if he had anything to say.
District Judge Anthony Baca commended Wilcox for his compliance with the court, saying he wanted Wilcox to deal with the “underlying issues” that led up to the case.
As they walked out of the courtroom, Wilcox’s attorney, Richard Jaye, said, “You’re a good man, Randall, do the right thing,” as his client turned down the hallway toward the probation office.
nmetcalf@durangoherald.com
