On August 21, 2018, Circuit Court Judge Greg Baxter sentenced James Blitch (07/70) of the 2200 block of 5thSt. in Baker City, Oregon to four years with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Blitch was convicted at trial on August 9, 2018 on one count of Coercion and one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree, both Class C Felonies. He was acquitted on one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree.
The coercion count was based on Blitch keeping a woman in an apartment by threatening her with physical injury. The assault count, in which Mr. Blitch was convicted, involved Blitch punching a man in the head when this man came to the victim’s aid. The charges of Assault in the Fourth Degree were elevated to a felonies based on Blitch having three prior assault related convictions.
On the coercion count, Judge Baxter sentenced Blitch to 31 months in prison to be followed by three years post-prison supervision. Blitch was sentenced on the Assault in the Fourth Degree count to 30 months in prison with 17 months consecutive to the coercion count and 13 months concurrent for a total of 48 months in prison.
The state recommended that the assault conviction run entirely consecutive. Blitch will be on post-prison supervision for 24 months on the assault conviction. Blitch was also ordered to have no contact with with both victims as part of his post- prison supervision. The defense argued that Blitch should receive a downward departure to probation. “We are pleased that Judge Baxter sentenced Mr. Blitch to prison as this case involved domestic violence, and he has an extensive criminal history including prior assaults involving domestic violence.”