Domestic Abuser Assaults Victim, Begs Her Not to Tell, then Blames Her

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Domestic Violence Unit obtained convictions against a man who assaulted and strangled a woman, begged her not to tell the police, and then claimed she beat herself up.  Landon Edward Sanders, 41, was convicted of Aggravated Assault and Domestic Assault.  Judge Hector Sanchez revoked Sanders’ bond, ordered him into custody, and set the case for sentencing on September 26.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Sean Roberts and Molly Martin explained to the jury that on November 4, 2022, Knoxville Police Department Officer Preston Tucker responded to Tennova North Medical Center for an assault call.  Ofc. Tucker spoke to the victim who stated that she was at her home off Whittle Springs Road when Sanders got drunk and became angry about the victim calling the police about a previous domestic disturbance in July.  Over the course of four hours, Sanders strangled the victim, punched her in the face, knocked her to the ground, and kicked her repeatedly before urinating on her.  The victim was eventually able to text her sister who took her to the hospital.  The victim was treated for bruises all over her body including injuries to her face that caused her eye to nearly swell shut.  Sanders later texted the victim begging her to not call the police.  At trial, the defense argued that the victim caused the bruises to herself in order to set Sanders up.

Following this third jury verdict in two days, DA Allen stated, “I am incredibly proud of my staff who fight hard every day to achieve justice.”

Aggravated Assault is a Class C felony that carries a punishment between three and six years.  At sentencing, prosecutors will argue that the sentence should be served in the Tennessee Department of Correction.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Cindy Vanosdale aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.