By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
A Rowan County man accused of harassing his ex-wife and attempting to run over her new boyfriend was found guilty Monday.
Justin Paul Miller, 30, faced multiple charges stemming from various incidents involving his ex-wife, whom the Post is not naming, which occurred during a six-month period. The wife had private warrants issued against Miller for communicating threats and violating a domestic violence protection order.
Miller was convicted of communicating threats, assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree trespass, harassing phone calls, violating a domestic violence protective order, false report to police, misuse of 911 system and speeding 103 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Miller accepted an Alford plea, which essentially is when a person does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is sufficient evidence to convince a court of his guilt.
Superior Court Judge Joseph Crosswhite consolidated the charges into two, sentencing Miller to 150 days with credit for the five months he served in jail and 150 days in the Department of Correction, which was suspended to 30 months supervised probation.
He was ordered to complete an abuser treatment program as well as substance abuse assessment. The judge also told him not to harass or assault his ex-wife.
One of the incidents occurred May 2010 when Miller threatened his ex-wife by telephone and then showed up to her house. He also repeatedly called and threatened her.
Court documents also said Miller called the boyfriend 20 times in one day.
According to court records, Miller threatened to kill his ex-wifeís boyfriend and tried to run him over with his car.
In another incident, Miller is said to have tried to break the front door down at his ex-wifeís home. When he couldnít get through the door, he used a ladder to gain access through a window.
ěIím not sure it was a drug problem, said Assistant District Attorney Tim Gould.
Miller told the judge he quit taking his medication when his wife left, but he did not indicate what type of medication he was taking. He said he had some highs and lows.
ěI donít blame it on her. Itís a bad situation that got worse,î he said.
The judge asked if Miller understood the importance of taking his medications and inquired if he was at a high point in his life.
Miller said he has gotten back on his medications and takes them regularly.
Millerís attorney James Davis said his clientís behavior was precipitated by an affair and his ex-wife issued the private warrants one right after the other.
Davis also said heís known Miller since he was a child, he was a general contractor and has two upcoming projects.
ěHe has done very well now,î Davis said.
ěI hope you can get this behind you and move on,î Crosswhite told Miller.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.