HILLSBORO, Ore. — A 27-year-old Hillsboro man was convicted of multiple counts of domestic violence, including first-degree assault, for pushing his girlfriend off a third-floor balcony in September 2017 a month after punching her and breaking her jaw.
The 27-year-old victim survived the fall, though she fractured her spine and suffered a large gash on her head that required 14 staples.
The August 2017 assault initially went unreported. On Sept. 11, 2017, multiple witnesses heard the suspect, Jordan Sutherland, arguing loudly with the victim at their apartment in Hillsboro. At one point during the argument, the victim shouted, "Don't hurt me!" after which witnesses saw Sutherland use both hands to push her off the balcony.
Officers learned of the August assault while investigating the September incident. While Sutherland was held at the Washington County Jail for both assaults, he violated court orders to avoid contact with the victim, for which he was charged with 12 counts of contempt.
Sentencing for Sutherland is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2018.
