Hutton pleads guilty after attempted murder, kidnapping charges dismissed

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man accused of beating his teen girlfriend pleaded guilty to lesser charges after a judge dismissed an attempted murder charge and a first degree kidnapping charge against him.

Michael Hutton, 20, was charged with attempted murder, assault inflicting serious bodily injury to the genitals, assault by strangulation, kidnapping, assault on a female and assault inflicting serious bodily injury on his former girlfriend Hannah Connaway going into his trial last week.

After prosecutors finished presenting their case, the defense made motions to dismiss the attempted murder, assault inflicting serious bodily injury to the genitals and first-degree kidnapping charges. Defense Attorney Miriam Thompson said the state did not prove that Hutton removed or confined Connaway. She said Hutton and Connoway walked into the house together. She also said none of the witnesses proved that Hutton locked all the doors and terrorized Connaway. Thompson also said that the state did not prove that Hutton intended to kill Connaway. She said that Hutton got off of Connaway on his own and no one had to stop him from trying to kill her. She said Hutton told Connaway to get up and get out.

Judge John E. Nobles read over all of the testimony for an hour before denying the motion to dismiss assault inflicting serious bodily injury to the genitals, but allowing the motion to dismiss the other two charges.

Hutton then pleaded guilty to assault inflicting serious bodily injury to the genitals, assault on a female, assault inflicting serious bodily injuries and assault by strangulation. The judge sentenced him to 20-33 months in prison. Connaway’s dad said it’s not enough.

“The District Attorney’s Office went way beyond the call of duty on this one to do everything they could to bring this man to justice,” he said. “We just feel like it hasn’t been served this time.”

Hutton has already served 18 months in jail, so he could get out in the next year. Connaway’s family said they are moving on and will continue the recovery process.

“She may be a different Hannah, but she’s going to get better,” her father said.