Marriage Sentence Erased In Domestic Violence Case Judge Relents After Criticism, But Gives Hourlong Lecture First

A judge who convicted a man of domestic violence then sentenced him to marry the victim dropped the order Thursday, saying it was “ill-conceived.”

Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Albert Mestemaker denied ordering a woman “to marry her abuser” and criticized the media for conveying that impression. He then rescinded the order.

In a case that drew international attention, Mestemaker last week added marriage as a probation condition for Scott Hancock. Mestemaker said he called the second hearing because of the uproar.

“I did not order Miss (Yvonne) Sevier to marry her abuser, nor would I ever make such an order. It is not enforceable,” Mestemaker said at Thursday’s hearing.

But after lecturing for an hour on the case and his views on marriage, Mestemaker said: “The order that the couple marry is rescinded.”

Mestemaker, who has been a judge 14 years, reportedly has ordered matrimony at least once before.

He said Hancock and Sevier had told him they loved each other and were considering getting married.But he still believes they should get married. “Marriage generally generates more mutual respect,” he said.

The couple hurried from the courtroom and refused to answer questions.

Hancock has told The Cincinnati Enquirer he did not want to be forced into marriage. Sevier, 24, said she did not want to marry.

Hancock, 26, was accused of slapping Sevier during an argument June 24 outside their suburban Addyston home. He pleaded no contest to domestic violence July 13.

Mestemaker suspended a fourmonth jail sentence and ordered Hancock to get counseling and to marry Sevier during his nine-month probation. The couple have a 17-month-old daughter.

He wrote on the probation order: “D (defendant) and victim shall sanctify their relationship with a wedding.”

In April, he ordered probation for a woman who pleaded no contest to domestic violence, if she marries the father of her 3-year-old son.