Dover man going to prison for striking an individual in the head with a hammer 5 times

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ A Dover man has been sentenced to four to six years in prison for attacking another man with a hammer on Feb. 20.

Kenton L George, 47, of 330 W. Slingluff Ave., Dover, was sentenced Friday in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court by Judge Michael Ernest.

More on Kenton George case: Suspect accused of attacking man with hammer pleads not guilty to charges

In imposing the sentence, the judge said the crime was "shocking" and that a prison sentence was appropriate.

Reduced charges

George was originally charged with attempted murder, a first-degree felony, and felonious assault, a second-degree felony. The state agreed to drop the attempted murder charge in return for George pleading guilty to felonious assault.

In June, he changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.

Assistant Prosecutor Scott Deedrick said George struck his victim in the head five times with the hammer. "His conduct on the day in question was frightening and hard to believe it actually happened, but it did."

He dismissed George's claim of self-defense.

George's attorney, Brandy Thorne, noted her client had no prior criminal record and was genuinely remorseful,

She asked the judge to sentence him to the 171 days he has already served in the Tuscarawas County Jail.

Defendant wants to better himself

When given a chance to speak, George said if he had to serve time in prison, that he be allowed to attend classes to better himself.

George has been held in the Tuscarawas County Jail since he was indicted on April 4 by a Tuscarawas County grand jury.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dover man going to prison for striking an individual in the head with a hammer 5 times