Coronato cleared on all charges

A 12-person jury has found Bob Coronato not guilty on all counts related to an alleged altercation last summer. Coronato was tried on three charges: strangulation of a household member, aggravated assault and battery (threats to use drawn deadly weapon) and domestic battery.

In considering the first count, members of the jury were asked to decide whether Coronato impeded the normal breathing or circulation of blood of the victim, Lisa Williamson. As the jury answered in the negative to both questions, Coronato was found not guilty.

Coronato was represented during the three-day trial by Devon Petersen and Tom Fleener of Fleener Petersen LLC, while Deputy County Attorney Lynda Bush represented the county.

The trial involved an altercation in Hulett that was reported to have taken place on July 31, 2020 at around 5 a.m. A Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded and was advised that Williamson had locked herself in the bathroom for protection.

Coronato was accused of holding a knife to the head of Williamson, who claimed that an argument had begun between herself and Coronato, causing her to begin packing her belongings. Coronato allegedly followed her to the bathroom and grabbed her by the arms, then by the throat from the front before pushing her down backwards over the toilet and choking her.

Coronato was also accused of putting Williamson in a headlock and holding a kitchen knife to her forehead and pushing her down on a tote filled with glassware. The deputy’s original report notes visible injuries on Williamson’s body, including bruising, scuffed skin and marks on her skin.

Coronato allegedly claimed the victim had become upset for an unknown reason and began “flipping out.”

The trial was held on June 1 to 3. After a short deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of “not guilty” on all counts.