Man who temporarily blinded wife during assault sentenced to eight years

The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office (Photo: The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office press release)

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office says a man pled guilty on last Thursday.

Robert James Norris Jr. pled guilty on Feb. 5, to domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, unlawful conduct toward a child stemming from a 2022 incident, and possession
of a sawed-off shotgun.

A judge sentenced Norris to 15 years, suspended to 8 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Norris must also complete 5 years of probation with domestic violence and mental health counseling.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to Norris’ home on Aug. 19, 2023, after neighbors could hear him screaming threats at his wife.

The neighbors recorded the incident and called 911, according to officials.

Deputies found the victim with a severe head injury that temporarily blinded her.

Medical records later confirmed she had a traumatic brain injury.

Norris left the home, but a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) helicopter located him shortly after, says law enforcement.

Officials say Norris’s child later completed a forensic interview at a Children’s Advocacy Center and described the domestic violence he witnessed that night and on other occasions.

Also, Norris pled guilty to one count of unlawful conduct toward a child for verbally and physically abusing his wife in the presence of their son in January 2022.

Video footage of the event captured the child’s distress.

RCSD discovered Norris owned a modified shotgun which rendered it an illegal weapon, and according to deputies supports the charge of possession of a sawed-off shotgun.