A 60-year-old Carondelet man, identified as Joseph Fuller, has received a 22-year prison sentence for a domestic violence incident in which he shot his girlfriend. The sentencing came down on Friday, following Fuller's conviction by a jury on April 23, 2025, as reported by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office. He was found guilty of first-degree domestic assault resulting in serious physical injury, armed criminal action, and third-degree domestic assault.
On the night of the incident, between December 30 and December 31, 2023, an argument escalated to violence at an apartment on the 7800 block of Rio Silva Place. The victim, a 37-year-old woman who was in a two-year relationship with Fuller, was punched in the face and later shot in the chest. Ballistic evidence backed her account, with damage to a closet in the apartment confirming the violent altercation. The Circuit Attorney's Office also stated that Fuller's previous convictions include aggravated fleeing, forgery, and possession of controlled substances in Madison County, Illinois.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore expressed his position on such crimes, saying, "Today’s sentence sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated." Gore emphasized the city's commitment to supporting survivors and the imperative of holding perpetrators accountable. "We will continue to support survivors and work to ensure that perpetrators like the defendant face the consequences of their actions," he asserted.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Circuit Attorney Rondalyn McDonald-Harris and Special Victims Unit Supervisor Jeremy Crowley, a detail noted by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office in their announcement. The sentencing of Fuller is a reflection of the judicial system's response to domestic violence, a significant issue that often occurs behind closed doors but has far-reaching impacts on the lives of the individuals involved and the community at large.
