Pierce County sheriff’s deputy not guilty of domestic violence charges, jury decides
Jurors have found a former Pierce County sheriff’s sergeant not guilty of domestic violence charges that he assaulted his wife.
They acquitted 51-year-old Patrick Allen Davidson of unlawful imprisonment and two counts of fourth-degree assault Feb. 26, following several days of trial.
Prior to that verdict, the court dismissed a charge of second-degree assault.
“He’s of course relieved,” defense attorney Brett Purtzer told The News Tribune. “... He’s looking to move forward.”
The Sheriff’s Department terminated Davidson about a month after the charges were filed against him, the attorney said.
He’d worked for the agency for 16 years.
“He’s looking forward to trying to regain his employment,” Purtzer said.
Charging papers alleged that Davidson used a choke hold to restrain his wife following an argument in August and that others later saw that she had bruises and a black eye.
Davidson denied the altercation and said he didn’t see any bruises, the charging papers said.
He also was accused of pouring a can of alcohol on his wife’s head at a gathering in September.
Prosecutors filed charges that month.
