A Cortez man convicted by a jury for domestic violence was given the maximum sentence by Montezuma County Judge JenniLynn Lawrence Monday.
Harry Lee Bylilly, 48, was sentenced to two years in the county jail for third-degree assault against his girlfriend on Jan. 5 at her residence in the Happy Valley Trailer Park on East Seventh Street. He received 73 days’ credit for time served.
Lawrence, who was the judge at the Sept. 24 trial, said “the victim came to trial bravely, strongly, and testified credibly and believably regarding what you did to her.”
She told Bylilly the violence he inflicted upon the victim was “unfathomable and unjust” but that a two-year sentence was the longest sentence that could be imposed.
“Victims of domestic violence need to know when they are brave and come forward, that there is recourse,” Lawrence said. “Their cry for help will be heard, and perpetrators will serve the consequences.”
Assistant District Attorney Will Furse recommended the maximum sentence. He said the victim suffered facial and back injuries from the attack and is traumatized. She had been providing a place to stay for Bylilly, who was homeless and jobless, Furse said.
After the attack, she fled to a friend’s house on Ash Street to call 911, according to police reports.
Bylilly was arrested the night of the attack and charged with third-degree assault and domestic violence. Upon his arrest, he showed a blood alcohol level of 0.4, according to the police report.
On March 11, while on parole for the first domestic violence charge, Bylilly was arrested again at the same victim’s residence on suspicion of assault and domestic violence against the same victim, according to court and police reports.
Upon his arrest, he allegedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.243, the report shows.
According to Cortez police reports, on the evening of March 10, the victim suffered facial wounds, including a swollen-closed eye and leg bruises. She was taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital. Furse said the victim can’t see properly because of the injury from the second alleged attack.
He said the victim has become withdrawn and is a changed person because of the violence suffered.
According to a physician’s injury report, the victim sustained serious bodily injury.
The DA’s office has filed charges including second-degree assault-domestic violence, a Class 4 felony. Other charges include violating a protection order and bond conditions, harassment and crime of violence.
Bylilly has pleaded not guilty. His case is set for a jury trial Dec. 6 in 22nd Judicial District Court.
Victims of domestic violence can call a local hotline at (970) 565-2100 for help. Renew Inc., a local nonprofit in Cortez, is devoted to helping victims of domestic violence. Their website is at www.renew-inc.org/
