Seth Hamman

WARSAW — A Mentone man was sentenced today, April 27, after pouring a pot of hot stew down his wife’s back during an argument.

Seth Hamman was sentenced to three years at the Indiana Department of Corrections and one year on probation.

Hamman’s charges stem from an incident that occurred March, 2016. Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department received a call Wednesday, March 30, from Kosciusko Community Hospital about a domestic battery victim. The victim had initially told nurses a pot of boiling stew had fallen on her back. However, doctors did not feel the injuries were consistent with her story.

An officer spoke with the victim, who admitted she and her husband had been in an argument when Hamman became angry and dumped a pot of hot stew on her back. The victim told Likens she fell to the floor from the pain, striking and possibly breaking her wrist.

Hamman told officers that the victim had thrown a plate of food at him and he had attempted to block it, knocking the stew onto her back.

During the sentencing, Prosecutor Katy Hampton stated, “We emphasize that Mr. Hamman does have a history of violent behavior.” She referenced that he was at a high risk to commit other offenses.

Hamman’s lawyer, C. Austin Rovenstine, acknowledged his client’s criminal offenses but stated he wanted to focus on his positive characteristics as well.

Rovenstine stated Hamman had made significant strides to correct his behavior by attending several classes for substance abuse and even meeting with a mentor in the past. Rovenstine referenced several letters that had been written on behalf of Hamman. Rovenstine mentioned speaking with several individuals in Hamman’s life who spoke highly of him.

Rovenstine described Hamman as, “A man with some obvious flaws and some considerable strengths.”

When given an opportunity to speak, Hamman said, “I’d like to apologize for my behavior.”

Per the plea agreement, Hamman has a no-contact order with the victim, with the exception of civil discussion regarding their children. He has also lost the right to possess a firearm.