Teen sentenced to jail for hitting male friend in the face with construction stapler

Grubius

Teen sentenced to jail for hitting male friend in the face with construction stapler

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

LUDINGTON — An 18-year-old woman was sentenced to 90 days in jail in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Feb. 13, for a felony conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon for hitting her male friend in the face with a construction stapler.

Isabel Inez Grubius pleaded guilty to the charge, Nov. 28, 2023. A misdemeanor assault and battery charge was dismissed.

Grubius, who is lodged in the Mason County Jail, received credit for 25 days served.

“In terms of a felonious assault, I consider the circumstances were extremely aggravated,” said Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Beth Hand. “In this case, the victim was hit extremely hard in the face, which required him to seek medical treatment. This was a situation where numerous young adults ganged up on one of their friends.”

Hand said Grubius has a juvenile record that dates back to 2018, and she has a charge of unlawful use of a motor vehicle pending in Montcalm County.

“I don’t think the 25 days (in jail) is enough of a wake-up call for this sort of anger problem,” said Hand, who argued for a 90-day sentence. 

Defense attorney Tracie Dinehart said the conviction is her client’s first felony and noted her young age. “This seemed to be a group of individuals who ganged up on one of their own,” said Dinehart, who asked for Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) sentencing. The attorney, who referred to her client as a child, said the jail time has been “a wake-up call.”

Grubius addressed the court, acknowledging that she was “hanging out with the wrong people, and my actions brought me here.” She apologized to the victim who sat in the audience with his mother. “This is a big eye opener. It made me set some goals in my life. I don’t want to wake up in jail. This is a turning point in my life.”

“While the matter was pending, the defendant picked up another charge and was put on HYTA,” said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. She also noted the other pending charge referenced by Assistant Prosecutor Hand. The judge said Grubius has a “history of assaultive crimes. I disagree that you’re still a child — you’re not. You’re an adult. I agree with more jail time.”

The judge also ordered two years probation and no contact with the victim.

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