Buckeye, AZ – A 43-year-old man, Joseph Noecker, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to murder his pregnant wife. The Yavapai County Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing earlier this week.
Noecker will face an additional seven years of supervised probation upon his release. The case stemmed from an incident in late October when Noecker and his wife, who were looking forward to their pregnancy, became involved in a violent altercation.
According to prosecutors, Noecker’s anger escalated after the couple learned of the pregnancy. He restrained his wife and inflicted harm on her with the intention of terminating the pregnancy.
After the incident, the woman was taken to a hospital where it was discovered that the unborn child did not survive. Investigators were unable to determine the cause of death, as they could not establish whether it resulted from Noecker’s actions or a previous miscarriage.
Noecker faced charges of attempted murder based on his belief that the baby was alive at the time of the alleged attack. He was also charged with kidnapping for restraining his wife during the incident.
Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane expressed that Noecker’s actions reflected a chilling disregard for life. The court considered Arizona laws that protect unborn children at any developmental stage, treating such cases with the same severity as crimes against children.
Noecker will serve his sentence in the Arizona State Prison.