GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A woman convicted of domestic violence will get a new trial after the Michigan appeals court says an expert could have explained why she bit off a portion of her boyfriend’s tongue.
The appeals court says Desirae Glatfelter’s rights were violated by an ineffective lawyer. An expert didn’t testify for the woman from west Michigan’s Kent County because her attorney had failed to give timely notice to the judge.
The appeals court says the expert would have explained to jurors why women would use force in some circumstances. The court says the verdict might have been different. Glatfelter was sentenced to a year in behind bars.
Glatfelter bit off part of Aaron Hollowell’s tongue in November 2016 when he tried to calm her down with a forceful kiss and an aggressive “bear hug.” She had accused him of cheating on her.
