Osborne gets 4 years for felonious assault

A Hillsboro man was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges that he assaulted a New Vienna man in front of three young juveniles, leaving the man with serious injuries. 

Justin Osborne, 28, was living in New Vienna in January with several people, including the victim and the young children, when the incident occurred, according to reports. At that time, Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward said the victim was transported to Highland District Hospital for lacerations, bruises, and possible broken bones. In court Wednesday, it was stated he was later transported to University Hospital for further treatment. 

Osborne was later charged with felonious assault, a felony of the second degree. He pleaded guilty to the charge in June. 

On Wednesday the state, represented by Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, asked that he be sentenced to three years in prison. While Osborne did not have an extensive criminal record as an adult, Collins said he had an "impressive record for a juvenile." 

The victim addressed the court, and asked Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss that he sentence Osborne to more prison time, because three years was not enough. 

"I wasn't the only victim," he said. "I had three young grandchildren who witnessed it, a teenage granddaughter who called 911, and my wife who, if not for her, I probably wouldn't be here today. I took him into my home. He wouldn't work. He expects women and others to take care of him, while all he does is play (a) game boy and watch 'Tosh.O' on T.V. I wish the court would see fit to sentence him to no less than three year, but maybe add some additional time."

The victim became very emotional when he told the judge, "I had to go back and clean up the crime scene myself."

There were several people in the courtroom on behalf of the victim and the defendant, and several people were emotional, as well, when the sentence was handed down. 

Osborne's attorney, Bill Armintrout, said that he did not know what led up to the events, but that the living situation with so many people had to be a stressor on everyone. Armintrout said that his client is very remorseful, and he added that there were no weapons used during the incident. 

Osborne told Coss that he is "not a criminal" and not a violent person, and alleged that the victim started the incident. 

"I'm not like that," Osborne told the court. "I'm not a violent person. I never would have done it if he hadn't put his hands on me. There are several different things that went into this. He claims he's done nothing. I panicked. I gave him the first one for free ... but I wasn't going to let him beat me (in front of the children). I shouldn't have done what I done. He came at me first, but I did get the better of him."

Coss said that while Osborne alleged the defendant was the aggressor, Osborne only had one small mark on his chest while the victim suffered serious injuries. 

"Children should not be exposed to something like this," Coss said. "From your appearance you don't look like a violent person, but your actions speak otherwise."

If the living environment was stressful, Coss said that was probably not helped by the fact that, "You choose to be supported by other people" and "live off other people." 

Coss sentenced Osborne to four year in prison, along with court costs. He was immediately taken into custody by the Highland County Sheriff's Office. The court will scheduled a hearing at a later date to determine restitution.