LIHU‘E — A Koloa woman was sentenced to 18 months in jail and five years’ probation Thursday for charges that included a knife assault of a boyfriend and an assault against a woman. County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin had
LIHU‘E — A Koloa woman was sentenced to 18 months in jail and five years’ probation Thursday for charges that included a knife assault of a boyfriend and an assault against a woman.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin had recommended an open 10-year sentence for Nicole Danielle Gonsalves, 26. She described Gonsalves as a violent individual who had already proven she could not succeed with probation.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano of the 5th Circuit said the open sentence was not appropriate in this case. He sentenced her to concurrent terms of six months on the third-degree assault charges, and 18 months for the first-degree assault charge, and one year for attempted unauthorized control of a vehicle.
The remaining charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree terroristic threat, second-degree assault and first-degree unauthorized entry were dismissed.
Gonsalves has remained in custody since her June 14 arrest. She pleaded guilty on Oct. 20 to the first-degree stabbing assault of her then-boyfriend, Robert Ballard.
She was also sentenced for third-degree assault against Erin Hansen, a female companion of Ballard.
Gonsalves apologized to Ballard and Hansen, who were present in court. She apologized to her family and children, who are cared for by their grandmother.
In her statement, Gonsalves said she has accepted responsibility for her actions and would focus on turning her life around after jail for herself and her children.
Valenciano described Gonsalves as fortunate that the victim was able to defend himself. Valenciano ordered Gonsalves to undergo a chemical dependency assessment, a domestic violence intervention program, a mental health evaluation, parenting classes, pain management classes and counseling.
