Dec 11, 2014 2 min read

A Washington man pleaded guilty Thursday and was sentenced to 11 ½ to 23 months in Washington County jail for harming his wife on two separate occasions, including one incident in which he held a gun to the woman’s head.

A jury trial for Robert C. Milligan II, 44, was set to begin Thursday morning before Washington County Common Pleas Judge John F. DiSalle. Instead, Milligan pleaded guilty to two counts of simple assault and one count of recklessly endangering another person. He originally was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.

Milligan is accused of holding a firearm to Emma L. Morgan’s head and striking her July 7, 2013, at 2585 Jefferson Ave. in Canton Township. At the time, Morgan and Milligan were engaged.

Morgan later reported to police that Milligan assaulted her Oct. 27 of that year. He allegedly grabbed her left hand, twisted it and caused a spiral fracture to her fingers. She has undergone two surgeries as a result, Assistant District Attorney Kristin Clingerman said.

In addition to the jail sentence, Milligan was ordered to serve three years on probation. He must undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations, and complete anger management and domestic violence counseling. Milligan also must pay an undetermined amount of restitution to Morgan.

Milligan also agreed to a protection-from-abuse order for three years and is not to have contact with Morgan.

DiSalle approved Milligan to complete his jail sentence on work release. He will be given credit for time served.