WCDA Trial Result

Conviction in Felony Domestic Battery Case

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has announced that a recent felony domestic battery prosecution has resulted in a conviction after a three-day jury trial that began last Tuesday in District Court.

Jacob Angelo Massey, 33, from Reno was found guilty on one count of Battery Which Constitutes Domestic Violence, third offense (felony), and faces the possibility of up to 6 years in prison at his March 18, 2020 sentencing. Massey was arrested in October of 2019 after the Reno Police Department (RPD) responded to a burglary call at a Wedekind Road Apartment. Once on scene RPD patrol officers determined that Massey had forced his way into the home of a former girlfriend and attacked her. During the struggle, the victim was choked and held down by Massey for approximately 10 minutes. At one point, the victim was able to get free from Massey and defend herself with a kitchen knife. The victim was able to call 911 Dispatch and Massey who was stabbed, stopped his attack and fled the apartment. He was located a short distance away, transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and arrested after being released from the hospital. This office filed formal criminal charges against Massey on October 9, 2019.          

This case proceeded to trial on January 21, 2020, after Massey invoked his right to a speedy trial. The victim, multiple responding officers, and an employee with Washoe County Human Services Agency testified against Massey at trial. Deputy District Attorney Barrack Potter was able to successfully obtain a felony Domestic Battery conviction on January 23, 2020, after presenting the victim’s statements, physical evidence, statements of Massey, and the officers’ observations. Massey is now labeled as a felon, domestic batterer, and faces up to fifteen years in prison for any further crimes committed in the future that constitute domestic violence.