Custodial dad convicted of aggravated assault; after assaulting girlfriend, 7-year-old daughter killed in car crash during police chase (Gila County, Arizona)

Update to the killer dads and custody list.

What is not mentioned here is that GASOA BALAS was a custodial father, and managed to retain his custodial status despite repeated reports of child abuse and neglect. This article also neglects to mention that his 7-year-old daughter was killed in a car crash after Dad was being pursued by the police for assaulting his girlfriend.

See our previous post here.

http://news.gila1019.com/jury-convicts-gasoa-balas-of-aggravated-assault/

Jury Convicts Gasoa Balas of Aggravated Assault!

by admin • September 23, 2013

Globe, Arizona – Gila County Attorney Bradley D. Beauchamp announced that on September 21, 2013, Gasoa Balas was convicted of three domestic violence related offenses following a three day jury trial. According to Chief Deputy County Attorney Shawn C. Fuller, who prosecuted the case, Balas was convicted of two felony counts of Aggravated Assault, one of which was proven to be a dangerous offense, and one count of misdemeanor assault.

According to evidence presented at trial, Balas was arrested on August 21, 2011, after viciously assaulting his girlfriend with a pair of scissors following an argument they had inside their home in Payson. Neighbors called 911 in the early-morning hours after they heard his girlfriend screaming for help. Payson Police Officer, Billy Hoffman, quickly responded to the scene and apprehended Balas as he was leaving the home. Inside the residence Officer Hoffman made contact with the victim, who was crying and injured.

In addition to finding Balas guilty of assaulting the victim, the jury found that one of the offenses was a dangerous offense and that two aggravating factors existed: harm to the victim, and that the domestic violence was committed in the presence of children.

Presiding Superior Court Judge Peter J. Cahill, who presided over the trial, set sentencing for October 14, 2013. Balas is facing a mandatory prison sentence of up to 15 years.

The Gila County Attorney’s Office is also prosecuting Balas for an unrelated murder, and that case is set for trial on December 4, 2013.

County Attorney Beauchamp commended the Payson Police Department, especially Officer Billy Hoffman, for the hard work and dedication that went into the investigation of the case.

PRESS RELEASE Bradley D. Beauchamp