State's Supreme Judicial Court Upholds Domestic Violence Conviction Against Dedham Man

DEDHAM, MA — The state’s highest court has denied an appeal from a Dedham man convicted of beating and kidnapping his girlfriend.

The state’s Supreme Judicial Court ruled against William Oberle, who was convicted of three counts of assault and battery and kidnapping. All the charges stemmed from 2014 domestic violence incidents.

Oberle argued that the trial judge erred in his peremptory challenge of a female juror and in admitting prior bad act evidence, according to the court’s ruling. The defendant also argued that there was insufficient evidence to support his kidnapping conviction. The court rejected the entirety of Oberle’s argument.

“We are unpersuaded, and affirm that conviction,” the court’s ruling read.

Oberle and victim started a romantic relationship in 2013, but things started to go downhill after the victim said Oberle made her uncomfortable and stopped her from looking at and speaking with other people in public. In February 2014, the victim was treated at a hospital for injuries. She said Oberle strangled her and said he was going to kill her.

The two later reconciled and moved into Oberle’s daughter’s home in Dedham, living in the basement of the house. Following a stable period, the abuse began again, most notably with a July 4, 2014 incident. Oberle and victim got into an argument over the victim’s bank card because Oberle refused to return it and the victim took it as a sign that he was again using drugs, according to court documents. Following the argument, Oberle left and the victim drank several beers at home before going to bed.

When Oberle returned to the house after midnight, he punched the victim's face, chest, and legs and held her down and choked her, saying he would kill her. The victim was unable to call for help because the Oberle had taken her cell phone the day before. The victim lost consciousness for an unspecified period of time and when she woke up, the defendant was still on top of her, shouting, with his hands around her neck.

The victim did not know how she got away or how much time had passed, but remembered that there was daylight when she ran out the back door of the basement and across the street and hid in the garage of a rental car business, where she waited for the business to open so she could call police.

Oberle was arrested on July 6 and indicted on Sept. 14, 2014.

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