Gainesville Man Sentenced to Year of Probation for Slapping

Joseph Stephen Fielden, 39, was convicted of domestic battery last week and sentenced to one year of probation.

Facing up to a year in jail for the misdemeanor, Fielden took a plea deal that was accepted by Judge Meshon Rawls. 

According to the arrest report, on the night of July 30, Fielden came home intoxicated and verbally combative, but he didn’t yet batter the victim. The following morning, Fielden and the victim were arguing, and he lightly slapped her, and she defended herself with a broom. They continued arguing verbally for a few moments until Fielden slapped her again, much harder than the previous time. The victim ran away and called the police. 

While police were speaking with the victim, Fielden showed up and was subsequently detained. Officers located a small firearm in his right pants pocket, the arrest report states. 

Gainesville Police Department Officer Jarrell Delancy reported, “I read [Fielden] his rights from my department's issued Miranda card. Post Miranda, [Fielden] stated that nothing occurred and everything that happened was verbal only. I confronted [Fielden] with the red mark on the victim’s face, and [Fielden] then showed me a red mark on his stomach, stating that he was struck by a broom by the victim and any injuries she had to herself were self-inflicted.” 

Fielden will be required to complete a batterer’s intervention program and a mental health evaluation.