Opinion ID: 2357769
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Barbee And Williams's Relationship And Divorce

Text: Jomell Barbee and Shayla Williams (f/k/a Shayla Barbee) are the parents of De'Shawn Barbee. De'Shawn was born on November 30, 2005. Barbee and Williams married on April 14, 2006 in Anchorage. Williams alleges that Barbee was abusive during the parties' marriage; she claims that Barbee had anger issues and that arguments would always turn into something bigger than expected and would eventually end with him abusing [her]. According to Williams, Barbee would choke . . . hit . . . kick . . . [and] throw [her] on the ground and several times she called the police. On the night of December 17, 2007, Barbee allegedly tackled [Williams] from behind and put her in a headlock. Williams stated that Barbee used both arms and strangled [Williams] to the point she thought that she would lose consciousness and after Barbee let go Williams experienced vomiting, difficulty breathing, and trouble swallowing. Williams later alleged that she had to fight for her life and thought that she was going to die. Williams called the police the next morning; when the police arrived they observed that Williams had pet[e]chia [2] on her neck and behind both ears and what appeared to be blood pooled behind both of her lower eyelids and red marks on her right arm and wrist. Barbee was arrested and charged with assault in the second degree on December 20. On February 15, 2008, while the criminal charge against him was pending, Barbee filed for divorce. Barbee and Williams, acting pro se, came to an agreement regarding custody and property division at a December 10, 2008 status hearing. On February 11, 2009, the superior court entered a decree of divorce stating that Barbee and Williams had been able to negotiate a settlement regarding property and child custody. Barbee and Williams agreed to have joint legal custody and shared physical custody of De'Shawn; De'Shawn would spend Friday afternoon through Monday morning with Barbee and Monday morning through Friday afternoon with Williams, with alternating holiday arrangements. On February 27, 2009, Barbee pleaded guilty to the third-degree assault charge that arose from the December 2007 incident. He was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with 23 months suspended and three years probation. As part of his probation, Barbee agreed to enroll in and complete a 24-week state-approved Domestic Violence Intervention Program and not to have any contact with Williams.