Bird Island man found guilty of gross misdemeanor domestic assault

A Renville County jury has found a man guilty of domestic assault.

Brian Joseph Gewerth was convicted Thursday on charges of gross misdemeanor domestic assault last July.

Prosecutors say the 42-year-old Bird Island man pushed the victim down a hallway six times, causing the victim to fall back on a kitchen chair and fear death.

An argument had broken out over non-payment of rent, as Gewerth and his life partner had been living at the victim’s place of residence.

Gewerth has a history of domestic assault, prosecutor Kelsie Kingstrom said.

Gewerth will be sentenced at 3:30 p.m. on July 11 at the Renville County Courthouse.