A Shreveport man was found guilty of several serious domestic violence crimes in a bench trial in Caddo District Court Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Darnell Caldwell, 37, was found guilty by ad hoc District Judge John Robinson, who heard witnesses and reviewed evidence concerning events of December 15, 2021, when Caldwell threw an aerosol can through a car window, striking his victim, a woman with who he had a five-year relationship and shared three children, in her face. The woman suffered a broken nose, a broken eye socket and a broken sinus cavity. Two of their children, a 4-year-old girl and a newborn baby girl, were inside the vehicle when Caldwell threw the can.
Judge Robinson found Caldwell guilty of three domestic violence crimes: Domestic abuse battery with a dangerous weapon and causing serious bodily injury and two instances of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment.
The victim took the witness stand, but stated that she did not want to testify against Caldwell. At one point, she stated that she wanted him to return home to be with her and their children. She also had requested that the state not prosecute him. However, the state proceeded with its prosecution, especially in light of the victim’s serious injuries, the use of a weapon and the presence of children during the crime.
Witnesses included the victim’s mother who observed her injuries and called the police for aid, responding officers, domestic violence experts and medical personnel who treated the victim.
When Caldwell returns to court April 25, 2024 for sentencing, he faces up to 15 years in prison at hard labor for the domestic abuse battery with a dangerous weapon conviction, and up to three years at hard labor for each domestic abuse battery with child endangerment conviction.
Caldwell was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Britney A. Green and Ron Christopher Stamps of the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit. He was defended by Royal Alexander and David Knadler.
The case was docket No. 386768.
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