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Woman gets probation in domestic case
By joe gorman
youngstown
A woman accused of ramming a car with her ex-husband inside pleaded guilty Monday to two misdemeanor counts of assault.
Patricia Goodin, 43, entered the pleas before Judge Maureen Sweeney in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
She also entered a guilty plea to a count of leaving the scene of an accident, also a misdemeanor.
Judge Sweeney accepted a recommendation that Goodin be sentenced to two years’ probation and have no contact with her ex-husband, Darren Goodin, except as it pertains to their divorce case through the county’s domestic relations court.
Patricia Goodin had originally been charged with two counts of felonious assault.
Her ex-husband is a Poland Township road department employee and the brother of township Police Chief Brian Goodin.
Poland Township police charged her after they said she rammed her car twice into another vehicle that contained her ex-husband and another woman.
The incident occurred as Darren Goodin pulled up to a stop sign on Shawbutte Street at U.S. Route 224, according to police.
A police report said that Patricia Goodin, who was traveling toward them on Route 224 in August, turned onto Shawbutte, hit Darren Goodin’s car, then backed up and hit his car a second time before fleeing to her home.
No serious injuries were reported.
The couple filed for divorce last year, according to court records.
Assistant Prosecutor Rob Andrews said the plea agreement was made after extensive negotiations with defense counsel as well as the victim, who said he wanted the case resolved as quickly as possible.
Darren Goodin was not in court as the plea and sentence took place.
A jury was scheduled to be picked Monday to hear the case.
Patricia Goodin declined her opportunity to address the court.
Her attorney, Doug Taylor, said his client has no prior criminal record and she is glad the case is being resolved.
“This has been quite an ordeal for her, quite an experience,” Taylor said.