Judge sentences former Fresno City Council assistant convicted of domestic violence
Daniel Gai, the former Fresno City Council staff member convicted of domestic violence charges, was sentenced to four years of probation, Judge Jeffrey Hamilton ruled Friday.
The 44-year-old Gai was facing up to 11 years in prison for pleading no contest to one count of committing corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, three counts of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, and one count of child endangerment.
Hamilton also found Gail guilty on two counts of felony criminal threats.
But the judge opted against prison. He agreed to probation, based on Gai’s lack of criminal history, the overwhelming support for him in court and Gai’s own promise to repair the damage he’s done to his family, including his fiancee, and her mother.
“I believe you are a good person and you have a big rock to crawl out from,” Hamilton said. “And that is a lot of work.”
Nearly 30 people attended Gai’s sentencing, including his old boss Garry Bredefeld, Fresno County Supervisor Steve Brandau and Gai’s fiancee.
She told the judge she wants Gai back.
“Danny has taken actions to correct his mistakes through sobriety and counseling and is continuing to work on himself,” she said. “What defines us is not our mistakes but how we learn from them. He has made major mistakes. But I forgive Danny and I want nothing more than for him to be home with his family.”
Court records show that in 2019, Gai threw the victim (his fiancee) against a baby’s crib and then held her on the ground while he choked her with both hands. He also attacked the victim’s mother.
Deputy District Attorney Heather Spurling argued that Gai’s behavior that night was extremely violent and warrants prison time, not probation.
In making his ruling, Hamilton said Gai must continue attending an alcohol treatment program, go to family counseling as well as enroll in batterer intervention program.
Gai even offered an olive branch to his fiancee’s mother, who also attended.
“I beg her to forgive me and I will do whatever I have to to help that relationship grow,” Gai said.
Gai’s attorney, Eric Schweitzer, was pleased with Hamilton’s decision to grant probation.
“The purpose is not just seek retribution by sending someone to prison, but the idea is to provide rehabilitation and to foster public safety,” Schweitzer said. “Would it foster public safety if he was sent to do hard time? And in prison you destroy the prospects of him being able to provide for his child.”
This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 3:12 PM.
