LIHUE — The defendant in a domestic violence case involving alcohol was sentenced to 15 days jail and probation on Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court. Neil Edward Schields, 37, of Koloa, will serve a five-year probation term along with the
LIHUE — The defendant in a domestic violence case involving alcohol was sentenced to 15 days jail and probation on Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Neil Edward Schields, 37, of Koloa, will serve a five-year probation term along with the jail time.
He has already completed much of the court-ordered substance abuse, anger management and alternatives to violence programs.
He pleaded no contest on July 17 to felony abuse of family or household member.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shauna Lee Cahill said the defendant did not recall how much he had to drink, or anything of his offense that occurred on July 8, 2012. She said Schields was intoxicated, fell asleep, and then awoke by his spouse who was also drinking.
Schields allegedly had his knee into his wife’s back on the floor as he choked her, Cahill said. Their daughter was present and afraid to intervene, she added.
Court-appointed defense attorney Rosa Flores said there was tension in the marriage but that alcoholism was the core issue with the incident.
She said Schields is an honorably discharged military veteran after breaking his back in a parachute jump.
The defendant has taken responsibility, makes no excuses, and has only one goal of keeping his family together, Flores said.
