Woman says her emotional scars remain after former fiance violently attacked her

CEDAR RAPIDS — A woman told a judge her fiance, who was being sentenced Tuesday, threw a pizza at her for no reason and then violently attacked her by punching, kicking and stomping on her, causing multiple fractures and injuries to eyes, face, neck and ribs on April 19.

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Michelle Smejkal, during her victim impact statement, said her former fiance, Richard Gerard Brown, 47, of Cedar Rapids, blames his behavior on alcohol but there is no excuse for what he did to her that day. She spent eight days in the hospital — four of those in the intensive care unit — and it “shattered” her life. She said she has long term injuries.

Smejkal said she might look as if everything is fine but her face is no longer soft, it’s hardened by the fractures and surgeries. She also has numbing and tingling sensations in her face, a few of her ribs — 11 of which were broken — still ache, and her eyesight has deteriorated.

She’s also “emotionally scarred” and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and experiences panic attacks. Smejkal said she can’t even order a pizza because she associates it with the attack that day.

Smejkal said she forgave Brown so she can move on but she would never trust him again. She believes he is a “deceitful individual who has been lying” to everyone in his life.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns, who called the nature of the offense “shocking and striking,” noting it “got close to being a homicide case,” sentenced Brown to up to 14 years in prison.

Brown, originally charged with attempted murder, previously pleaded to willful injury causing serious injury, a felony, and assault with intent to commit serious injury and domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious bodily injury, both aggravated misdemeanors.

Brown, during sentencing, asked the judge to consider his mental health and substance abuse evaluations, blaming his behavior on alcohol — being “blackout drunk” — and having no memory of what he did to the victim.

He apologized to Smejkal, saying he loved her and “never intended for this to happen.” Brown said it was an “isolated incident” because of his “out of control” drinking.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Monica Slaughter said this plea was “heavily contemplated” by the prosecution and was in consultation with the victim. The plea agreement was contingent on consecutive sentences — 14 years — because he was pleading to a lesser offense of the attempted murder charge.

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