Greenfield man with 'extensive history of violence' sentenced to 4 years in prison

A Greenfield man has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to domestic violence.

Austin Cole Gilroy, 31, was indicted July 11 on two counts of domestic violence, both third-degree felonies. Gilroy was accused of “knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm” to two separate victims in May.

According to a bill of particulars, Gilroy has previous convictions of domestic violence in two other counties — Auglaize County and Allen County — in addition to the Highland County case.

Gilroy pleaded guilty to both counts on July 21. Although the joint recommendation between the state and defense was 12 months on each count, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss imposed a sentence of 24 months for each count, for a total of four years in prison.

Coss noted that Gilroy also had been convicted of assault in Highland and Clinton counties in addition to the prior domestic violence cases.

“That’s a very disturbing record,” the judge said. “The fact that it’s widespread, it’s not unique to any particular county, doesn’t seem to be unique to any particular individual — it just seems to me that you like to beat on people. That’s very disturbing.

“My concern is for the safety of the public. I would like to see you get help, but on the other hand, it seems like you’ve had some opportunities and you haven’t utilized that.”  

Coss added that he had “serious reservations” about the joint recommendation for sentencing.

“Given your record, I think 12 months is way too low for a sentence,” Coss said. “Twelve months is just not sufficient. I will be open to considering judicial release, but I’m going to have to be convinced at that time that you’re serious about changing.

“You have an extensive history of violence — one of the worst that I’ve seen, in terms of being a domestic abuser and just assaulting people.”
 
Gilroy had jail time credit of 65 days. He was also ordered to pay court costs.