Man sentenced in assault with branch

A man convicted of attacking another man with a tree branch was sentenced Thursday in Clark County Superior Court to two years in prison.

David A. Kesler, 51, was found guilty earlier this month following a jury trial of second-degree assault stemming from an altercation at a Vancouver home in July.

The victim, Michael Deschner, told police that Kesler tried to strike him in the head with a branch at a residence at 7505 N.E. 53rd Ave. He said he put up his arm to block the blow, and Kesler struck his arm, breaking it. A doctor confirmed the break was consistent with Deschner’s story, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.

During sentencing, the prosecution requested Kesler serve a 29-month prison sentence, while the defense asked for 22 months.

Judge Gregory Gonzales said he didn’t think either sentence was appropriate and instead sentenced Kesler to 24 months. Kesler was given credit for 157 days in custody.

Gonzales also ordered Kesler to undergo an alcohol abuse evaluation and any necessary treatment. He is not to have contact with the victim for 10 years and owes $4,094.44 in restitution. He was also sentenced to 18 months of community custody after his release.