Drunk and high, he lost ‘too much money’ at a Coast casino. Then he choked his girlfriend.
A Mississippi man was sentenced to prison Tuesday for beating and choking his then-girlfriend after losing large amounts of money at Coast casinos.
Judge Lisa Dodson sentenced Christopher Neal McAlister of Hattiesburg to 45 years in prison, with 30 years suspended and 15 to serve, in Hancock County Circuit Court.
McAlister, born in 1977, appeared in court shackled in cuffs and dressed in a red and white jump suit. He confessed to hitting, choking and kidnapping his girlfriend on two different occasions.
The first incident occurred May 29, 2020, at the Scarlet Pearl Casino in D’Iberville.
McAlister said he was drunk and high and lost “way too much money” at the casino. Following the losses, he said he went upstairs and choked and punched his girlfriend.
Prosecutors said McAlister’s testimony was consistent with evidence obtained by authorities. McAlister was charged with felony domestic violence and aggravated assault.
The second incident occurred following a trip to Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis on Nov. 27, 2020.
McAlister was once again intoxicated, he said, and hit the victim while driving down Highway 90 after the casino trip.
When they later arrived at a gas station, McAlister admitted to threatening his girlfriend, saying he would hurt her if she left the car. She fled the vehicle and found police.
McAlister was then charged with felony domestic violence and simple assault and kidnapping.
McAlister has three prior convictions for domestic violence for abuse against his father and the mother of his children stemming back to 2008.
“That’s 14 years and you’ve done nothing,” Dodson told McAlister of his efforts to change his ways.
McAlister had asked to spend a year at an alcohol and drug addiction recovery center which Dodson told him she had no faith he would complete.
Dodson also felt the recommended sentence of 15 years to serve with 15 years suspended was generous.
“I think you got off lightly today,” Dodson said to McAlister. “I’m not going to take a chance on you.”
This story was originally published August 17, 2022 at 5:50 AM.