A Mancos teen accused of striking an ex-girlfriend in the head with a hammer is likely to escape a prison sentence if he completes a three-year youth offender program.
In court Jan. 20, Austin Yeager, an 18-year-old high school dropout, pleaded guilty before Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker to second-degree assault. Yeager reportedly told police that he hit his former 16-year-old girlfriend in the head with a hammer "two to four" times.
Medical records reveal the alleged victim suffered a concussion, three lacerations on her forehead and a contusion.
Charges of first-degree assault and unlawful sexual contact are likely to be dismissed if the court accepts the plea deal at sentencing on March 17.
The charge carries a maximum eight-year prison term and three years of parole.