A Rochester man accused of beating his estranged wife with a softball bat and attempting to snap her neck has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The sentence for Chad Edward Arnold, formerly known as Chad Edward Christensen, was handed down Monday morning in Olmsted County District Court by District Judge Robert Birnbaum.
Arnold pleaded guilty May 15 to attempted first-degree premeditated murder in the Oct. 22, 2012 attack. In exchange for the plea, additional felony charges of attempted second-degree murder with intent; first-degree assault-great bodily harm; three counts of first-degree burglary; second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon; and two counts of domestic assault were dismissed.
He also pleaded guilty to one count of stalking and one count of theft from two other related cases. Arnold's concurrent sentences include 180 months in prison; 12 months and one day in prison, with credit for 261 days served; and 365 days in jail. He was also ordered to pay nearly $46,000 in restitution.
In May, Arnold admitted to buying a bolt cutter and driving to the victim's home in the 3400 block of 80th Street Southeast in Pleasant Grove Township, then parked his truck where it wouldn't be seen.
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Arnold also admitted to bringing rubber gloves and an aluminum softball bat. Arnold said he entered the home and waited until the woman arrived home from work. In the interim, he disabled the security camera in her house.
He assaulted her as she walked into her kitchen.
According to the criminal complaint, the woman was able to convince Arnold that they could reconcile, but that they both needed medical help.
The woman's new boyfriend arrived at the house, the report says, and called 911 when he saw the couple inside.
Arnold had a psychological evaluation that revealed mental health issues, said prosecutor Rick Jackson, but waived a defense of mental illness.
The woman has since recovered.
