Pawnee County Man Who Pleaded Guilty To Assault Could Go Back To Jail

A Pawnee County man who pleaded guilty to assault and battery and was sentenced in 2015 could be headed back to jail in the same case after being accused of crimes in Iowa.

Jim Luman calmly walked into a Pawnee County courtroom Friday.

Court records show in 2015 he punched a woman in the face twice, then grabbed her by the hair and shoved her face in a gravel driveway. Court documents show Luman pleaded guilty in that case and was given an 18-month deferred sentence.

In the courtroom Friday, Luman's attorney said his client's probation ended in March., but the state said Luman violated the terms of his sentence when he was arrested in Iowa. Luman is facing charges of domestic abuse assault that impeded the flow of air or blood, as well as harassment.

He's accused of choking and beating his current wife in December 2016. The harassment complaint stems from a phone call in January 2017 where his wife says Luman threatened her life.

"I'm a survivor, yeah," his wife said.

She testified at Friday's hearing but asked we didn't identify her.

"I have PTSD, night terrors, sleep with a loaded weapon...worry for my kids constantly," she said.

She told the court Luman threatened to kill her numerous times and violently abused her both physically and sexually.

The woman said it took her months but she finally left, and said other women who are in a similar situation should do the same.

"Don't stay. They won't change. They'll never change. You'll end up dead," she said. "You've got to get help and get fixed. You gotta get through it."

Court records show Luman has four protective orders against him by three different women. He's also taken out the same kind orders against some of those same women.

On the stand, Luman denied every allegation against him. Luman's attorney said he would prefer not speak to the media until a court ruling has been made.

If the judge decides Luman is in violation of his probation, Luman could be sentenced to 90 days in jail.

The judge is expected to make a decision in the case on May 5th.