Trial to begin for man accused of beating teen girlfriend

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man facing attempted murder charges is facing a jury this week.

Michael John Hutton, 20, faces multiple charges after he allegedly beat his girlfriend Hannah Connaway last year.

Today, the defense told the judge that Hutton is accepting responsibility for assault inflicting serious bodily injury, assault on a female and assault by strangulation. Hutton will fight all of the other charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, and assault.

The arrest warrants said Connaway was chased and assaulted multiple times on May 24, 2014. Investigators add she was hit repeatedly with a closed fist in the head causing brain swelling and then choked hard enough to bruise her neck and to close her airway. Police said all of this happened while Hutton yelled at her to stop screaming.

Hutton’s attorney told a judge last year the incident might have been sparked by a bad combination of alcohol and medication Hutton takes to prevent seizures.

Opening statements will begin tomorrow. District Attorney Ben David told jurors this trial could go into next week.