A Dothan doctor faces at least six months in prison after a jury found him guilty of a felony domestic violence charge.
Houston County Sheriff’s deputies took Andrew Osborne into custody Thursday morning after the guilty verdict was announced by the court. The jury convicted Osborne, 47, of Dothan, of a felony second-degree domestic violence charge.
“He’s in custody," said Circuit Court Judge Larry Anderson. "He’s been convicted, and now he’s in custody."
Dothan police arrested Osborne in January on the felony charge. He had previously been released on bond for the charge.
The jury convicted Osborne of assaulting his wife, Suzette Marie Osborne. District Attorney Doug Valeska said the victim described being hit with an open hand more than 30 times until she blacked out. Suzette Osborne also suffered a broken arm during the assault, which happened during the fall of 2010.
Valeska said Osborne faces two to 20 years in prison for the class B felony crime. Anderson will sentence Osborne on July 1.
“He has to serve at least six months under the state domestic violence statute,” Valeska said.
According to the state Board of Medical Examiner’s website, Osborne has had a license to practice medicine in Alabama for 17 years, and specializes in anesthesiology.
Valeska said the felony conviction would likely impact Osborne’s medical license.
“I think the medical board will suspend his license,” Valeska said. “I believe they will not allow a doctor who has a domestic violence conviction to serve as a doctor. If you’re a doctor you’re not above the law.”
Suzette Osborne said afterward she hopes the conviction will also lead him to get some kind of help.
“I wasn’t big enough or strong enough that night, that’s why I called the police. Today I’m not a victim. Today I have confidence I didn’t have that day. I have self respect today I didn’t have that day,” Suzette Osborne said. “I think he should serve some (prison) time. I would love to see him in counseling and anger management.”
Lawyers Martin Adams and July Dowling represented Osborne at trial. Dowling said the defense filed a motion for their client to be released on his previous bond. She also said they would likely file an appeal of the jury’s verdict. She said the jury deliberated for about an hour before returning the guilty verdict.
“I do think he’s being unfairly singled out just to send a message,” Dowling said as to why her client was immediately taken into custody.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement