Domestic Abuser Sent To Prison For Attack, Intimidating Victim

ANNAPOLIS, MD — An Annapolis man who tried to suffocate his girlfriend, then forced her to lie to police, was given the maximum prison sentence. Everett Van Carr, Jr., 45, of Annapolis, was sentenced Wednesday by Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Laura S. Kiessling to 40 years in prison for second-degree assault, intimidation of a witness, and subornation of perjury.

On October 23, 2016, Carr argued with his girlfriend. When Carr became violent, the victim ran inside her home and attempted to lock the door behind her. Carr then broke through the door, and pushed the victim into a closet door hard enough to knock it off its hinges, prosecutors say.

While the woman lay on the ground, Carr climbed on top of her and placed her in a headlock. He then flipped the victim onto her back and tried to suffocate her with a blanket for several minutes. Fearing for her life, the woman screamed for help. A neighbor heard the victim's cries and banged on the front door. Carr was distracted by the sound and his girlfriend escaped to the neighbor's house, where she contacted police.

"Oftentimes, due to the nature of these close relationships, it is difficult for the victim of domestic violence to speak strongly on his or her own behalf," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a statement. "I am proud of the work my prosecutors and victim advocates put into this case, standing up for this victim, giving her a voice in the justice system, and uncovering the defendant's web of lies and intimidation towards her. They painted a true picture of Mr. Carr as an abuser, intimidator and manipulator."

Although Carr was ordered to have no contact with the victim before his trial, investigators showed he contacted the woman via letters, phone calls and prison visits. During these interactions, Carr intimidated the witness, forced her to give false testimony and obstructed justice.

On May 18, Carr pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, intimidation of a witness, and subornation of perjury.

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