Jefferson City man gets probation in assault case

A Jefferson City man has pleaded guilty to an amended charge in connection with assaulting his mother in February 2018.

Matthew Johnson, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree domestic assault during a Wednesday hearing before Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce.

He had been charged with first-degree assault, but prosecutors amended the charge and dismissed a charge of armed criminal action against Johnson.

As part of his probation, Johnson must have no contact with the victim in this case and successfully complete anger management and substance abuse counseling.

Police reports show officers were called to investigate a domestic assault that occurred in the 2200 block of Weathered Rock Road in Jefferson City.

The victim, who was 74 at the time, said she had been told her son, Johnson, was on his way to her residence to harm her. When he arrived, she attempted to flee but instead was knocked to the ground by Johnson and dragged across the concrete into her home, where she was "severely beaten and suffered fractured bones, multiple abrasions and contusions as well as a lacerated arm."

The victim got help after Johnson left her home. She told police she couldn't get help before then because she had feared for her life.