Minneapolis, Minnesota – A man who admitted to a brutal attack on his partner, described by a judge as a shocking display of violence, is seeking to retract his guilty plea while remaining incarcerated. Wayne William Joseph Becks, 40, had pleaded guilty to charges of assault and assault causing bodily harm back in October. An attempt to sentence him in January was halted when his lawyer withdrew from the case, leaving the situation unresolved.
During a recent court hearing, Crown attorney Reid Girard argued against Becks’ release, citing the risk of re-offense and his potential to evade future court appearances. Girard recounted the disturbing details of the incident, which took place in November 2022, when Yellowhead RCMP responded to a call from a 14-year-old girl reporting her mother’s injuries in an undisclosed community.
According to the woman’s statement to the police, Becks initiated a violent altercation after a night of heavy drinking and drug use. The situation quickly escalated as Becks inflicted severe physical harm on the woman using knives, fists, and household objects. In a brave attempt to protect her mother, the teenage daughter intervened, only to become a target of Becks’ aggression as well.
The woman sustained multiple injuries, including bruises, cuts, chipped teeth, and a concussion, requiring medical attention and stitches. Girard condemned the incident as a “violent, cruel, domestic assault” that not only targeted the woman but also endangered her young daughter. He highlighted the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the potential for further escalation if they had not managed to escape that night.
Despite Becks’ claims of feeling pressured to plead guilty and self-identifying as a victim during the attack, Judge Shauna Hewitt-Michta referenced the substantial evidence of the incident’s severity. Photos of the woman’s injuries and the scene of the attack underscored the extent of the violence, leading the judge to deny Becks’ request for bail. The case is set to resume in Minnedosa court on March 5, with Becks remaining in custody.
In the wake of this harrowing ordeal, the community awaits the next steps in seeking justice for the victims and ensuring the safety of those affected. The ramifications of domestic violence reverberate far beyond the immediate conflict, underscoring the urgent need for support and intervention in such cases. As legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on holding perpetrators accountable and providing protection for survivors of abuse.