Man gets 10-year imprisonment for stabbing, beating handicapped mom

“For a son to violently beat and break the bones of his own mother goes against the law, CNMI culture, and human decency.”

Thus stated Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho yesterday in slapping Jaron Ronald with a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment for assault with a dangerous weapon.

Ronald, 25, stabbed and beat his physically handicapped 63-year-old mother at their home in Kagman last Jan. 21. He pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.

Camacho said that Ronald’s action “shocks the conscience of this court.” He said the handicapped elderly woman herself asked the court for help and protection from her own son.

“This court will protect her and make sure she is safe,” the judge said.

When police responded to the house, Ronald claimed that his mother hurt herself after falling from her bed. Police later found that he actually stabbed her with a knife and beat her up.

Ronald pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon as part of a plea deal. Four other charges—aggravated assault and battery, senior citizen physical abuse, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace—were dropped.

Acting chief prosecutor Chester Hinds recommended the maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig recommended five years in prison.

Camacho said a sentence of 10 years in prison is appropriate because Ronald used a knife to stab and beat his own mother, causing serious injuries.

He said Ronald’s actions adversely affect a special protected group, the man’amko. The CNMI Legislature considers the elderly a special and protected group deserving of respect and protection.

Camacho said Ronald physically abused and tortured his mother on several occasions—hitting, slapping, burning, and stabbing her—causing broken bones, dislocated fingers, bleeding of the brain, bruising, and other injuries. The victim herself states that she is afraid of her son and wants him to stay in jail, he said.

In this case, the judge said, Ronald used a knife to stab and hurt the victim.

Camacho said Ronald admits to using illegal drugs and abuse of alcohol. He said the mother and a witness gave statements that Ronald uses butane canisters to get high.

The mother has stated that her son repeatedly hit, slapped, and tortured her by stabbing her hand with a knife and burning her right arm with a butane canister. The injuries resulted in the victim’s loss of function of her right hand. Now, she needs assistance when she needs to use the restroom.

This may be Roland’s first conviction but this is not the first time he physically abused his mother, Camacho said. Once, Ronald threatened to kill his mother because she urinated and soiled the bed. Camacho said Ronald hit the victim several times, causing her to lose consciousness.

The medical report described the victim’s injuries as multiple fractures on the right hand, multiple bruises and lacerations on the right side of face, bleeding around the right side of the brain, and bruises on the right leg and foot. An x-ray showed multiple fractures or broken bones and dislocated fingers.

Camacho ordered Ronald to serve his sentence without the possibility of parole and early release.

The judge also ordered the clerk of court to provide a copy of his sentencing order to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ronald is a citizen of Palau.