After four trial dates were set, court records show 67 year old Donald Montgomery pleaded guilty in February 2025 to family violence assault by strangulation of his common law wife.
Last week (November 13th), or nine months after the plea, Montgomery was sentenced to 15 years.
A news release from the district attorney’s office says Montgomery has a violent criminal history that goes back for more than 40 years.
News release from the Brazos County district attorney’s office:
On November 13, 2025, Donald Montgomery, of Bryan, Texas, was sentenced by Judge John Brick to 15 years in prison for domestic violence against his common-law wife. Montgomery’s sentence followed a punishment hearing to the court.
On November 18, 2020, Bryan police officers responded to a disturbance call and contacted the victim who reported that Donald Montgomery assaulted her and strangled her following an argument about her children. The victim had visible injuries to her neck consistent with strangulation.
Officers also interviewed Montgomery, who was intoxicated and belligerent. Montgomery told officers that there’d been a misunderstanding between him and the victim and said, “when you get married, you’ll understand” and “when you’re arguing, it’s going to escalate.” When officers asked why the victim would say that Montgomery assaulted her, he responded, “because she knows I will.”
Prosecutors presented evidence in Montgomery’s punishment hearing from former Bryan Police Officer Michael Wurzbach and forensic Nurse at Baylor Scott & White, Dr. Chelsea Knutson. These witnesses testified to the danger inherent in strangulation cases and the potential long-term and lethal effects of strangulation.
Montgomery has an extensive history of serious and violent offences which began in the 1970s.
Statement from Brazos County assistant district attorneys Jessica Escue and Robert Vetter: “The defendant’s violent criminal behavior has spanned more than 40 years. This case demonstrates that our office will continue to hold domestic violence offenders accountable, regardless of their age.”