LAKE STEVENS — A man who strangled his girlfriend in front of his teenage son admitted Tuesday that he was negligent when he restrained the woman and choked her to death.
Terry Calvin Van Allen, 46, told a judge he didn’t mean to strangle his live-in girlfriend, Clella Colson, 41. He was restraining her to protect his son from being assaulted by Colson, he said.
Van Allen on Tuesday pleaded guilty to second- degree manslaughter and violating a no-contact order. He was allowed to remain free until sentencing, now scheduled for Sept. 11.
Van Allen admitted his guilt under a plea agreement. He was originally charged with first-degree manslaughter and faced about eight years in prison if he had gone to trial and was convicted.
Prosecutors agreed to charge him with the lesser crime, in exchange they plan to recommend a prison sentence beyond the standard range for the crime. Van Allen now faces about five years behind bars.
Colson’s family and friends were in court Tuesday and voiced displeasure that Van Allen was allowed to influence when he’ll be sentenced. He had asked the judge to allow him to spend time with his children before he is sent to prison. Van Allen has been forbidden from contacting one of his sons because the boy was a witness.
Colson left behind a 16-year-old son. His grandmother expressed frustration.
“My grandson will never spend any time with his mom. It seems like were always giving, giving and giving,” Marie Colson said. “Our plea is to get this over with.”
Police were called to Van Allen’s Lake Stevens home April 28, 2007. His son reported that his father’s girlfriend was unconscious.
The teen later told police he had punched Colson during an argument and she attacked him, court documents said. His father grabbed her and choked her with a “sleeper” hold, a technique that can cause unconsciousness by pinching off the blood supply to the brain, documents show.
She was dead when paramedics arrived.
The couple had a history of domestic violence.
Van Allen had been arrested at least three times since 2004 for hurting Colson. Each time, alcohol was involved.
Judges had ordered Van Allen in the past to stop seeing Colson.
Colson at least twice asked the court to lift the no-contact orders, insisting that Van Allen wouldn’t hurt her.
Van Allen on Tuesday said he made a mistake when he allowed Colson back into his house in 2007.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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