Castle Rock, Colorado — A Douglas County jury has convicted a 39-year-old man on multiple assault charges stemming from a violent incident involving two women at a Highlands Ranch residence. The case, which unfolded in November 2024, highlights serious concerns about domestic violence.
Zebediah Joseph Scales, a Texas resident, faced accusations related to an attack on his girlfriend and her friend while they were in the bathroom. Reports indicate that Scales entered the bathroom while the girlfriend was bathing and accused her of infidelity. After initially leaving the scene, he returned with escalating aggression.
Upon re-entering, Scales allegedly attempted to forcibly remove his girlfriend from the bathtub. When her friend intervened to stop the assault, Scales reportedly threw her to the ground, causing her head to strike the floor. He then proceeded to grab both women by the throat, trying to strangle them.
One of the victims managed to call 911, prompting a swift response from a deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy observed severe bruising on the friend’s neck, consistent with signs of strangulation. Scales, when questioned, claimed ignorance, saying he had been asleep during the incident.
Scales has a previous criminal history that includes multiple offenses, among them assault and drug-related crimes. While awaiting trial for this case, he fled to Texas but was apprehended and extradited back to Douglas County.
On January 15, the jury found Scales guilty of two counts of felony strangulation and two counts of assault for causing bodily harm. Deputy District Attorney Lindsay Tucker remarked that the court’s decision sends a strong message against violence towards women. “While the harm caused to the victims cannot be undone, this defendant will be held fully accountable for his actions,” she noted.
Scales is set to be sentenced on March 27, leaving victims and community members reflecting on the serious nature of domestic violence and the need for continued efforts to combat it.