A Durango woman was sentenced Thursday to two years’ probation for assaulting her boyfriend.
Keesha Marie McCoy, 41, pleaded guilty to felony assault and obstruction of a peace officer in a plea agreement with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
McCoy was arrested about 9:30 p.m. July 23, 2020, at the Animas Country Inn, 3310 Main Ave., in Durango.
The boyfriend told police McCoy assaulted him and attempted to strangle him.
At the time, a protection order was in place that banned McCoy from having contact with the victim, according to an arrest affidavit. The order stemmed from a previous domestic violence incident. The order also prevented McCoy from consuming drugs or alcohol.
Responding officers said the victim had several injuries on his face, bruising around his eyes and nose, and blood on his lower lip. Officers also noted red marks around his neck, consistent with strangulation, according to the affidavit.
During her arrest, McCoy became uncooperative and kicked an officer “multiple times in his thighs” as he attempted to place her inside a patrol vehicle, according to the affidavit.
The victim told 911 dispatchers that he suffers from asthma and was having difficulty breathing. He told police that while he was being strangled, he thought he was going to die, according to the affidavit.
Police placed McCoy under arrest on suspicion of attempted murder, domestic violence, second-degree assault, violation of a protection order and resisting arrest.
Prosecutors never formally charged McCoy with attempted murder. Sean Murray, deputy district attorney appellate, said Colorado case law, in general, prevents prosecutors from filing that more severe charge in strangulation cases. But the District Attorney’s Office did charge her with strangulation, and she pleaded guilty to assault-attempted strangulation.
Because McCoy has a long history with alcohol abuse, District Judge Suzanne Carlson said the court would see how she does with rehabilitation.
njohnson@durangoherald.com
