Hawley sentenced to seven years for beating girlfriend

A man was sentenced to Montana State Prison for the next 7 years for beating his girlfriend in Havre last year in a case that captured the attention of the Montana Attorney General’s office after it initially was dismissed due to the lack of a prosecutor.

Eric J. Hawley, born in 1976, was sentenced Monday morning in District Court in Havre for his fourth felony partner or family member assault conviction. District Judge Dan Boucher credited him with 160 days served.

Hawley’s assaults happened against three different women and he was on parole for his third sentence when he hit the latest victi...