MORGANTOWN — A Morgantown women will spend time on probation for stabbing her mother.
Donna Jo Evasko, 53, of Morgantown, previously pleaded guilty to malicious assault. The sentence of two-10 years incarceration was suspended for five years of probation, including daily reporting, was handed down by Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Gaujot. He also ordered Evasko not live with her mother and perform 50 hours of community service a year, for the first three years of her probation.
When addressing the court, Evasko said she realizes that she has underlying issues which led to several alcohol-related problems including time in jail. She said that the incident in February 2017 made her draw a line where she won’t touch alcohol.
Evasko asked the court for probation; she said she could not afford home confinement and plans to secure her own place to live soon.
Since the incident, Evasko has done well in treatment, successfully completing a program and is continuing to seek further treatment, Scott Shough, defense attorney, said.
Prosecuting attorney Gabrielle Mucciola said the terms of Evasko’s plea agreement called for two-10 years incarceration, but that the presentence investigation showed she would be a good candidate for alternative sentencing, and the state did not object to such a punishment.
Mucciola asked for a five-year period of probation with daily reporting and that Evasko be ordered not to live with her mother.
“I don’t want to see you back here,” Gaujot told Evasko, explaining that he believed the long probation would benefit her. Gaujot also suggest she see a counselor and told her that community service would help her see there are a lot of hurting people out there.
“I want you to head out there and help someone,” he said.
