A Douglas County judge sentenced Cassius Mikedel Bering Jr. on Nov. 4 to life in prison without parole plus 30 consecutive years, according to WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. The sentence followed a jury’s Oct. 22 verdict in a case involving an assault on a woman in her Winston home while an active protective order was in place.
The jury found Bering guilty of aggravated sexual battery, criminal attempt to commit a felony, first-degree burglary, aggravated stalking, false imprisonment and family violence battery, according to WSB-TV. The charges stemmed from a July 10, 2024, incident at a Winston residence, where Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a domestic dispute call.
What the Victim Reported
As noted by WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta, the victim reported that Bering entered her bedroom while she was sleeping, restrained her and sexually assaulted her. At the time, she had an active temporary protective order against him. Deputies observed bruising and scratches on the victim's neck, arm, hand and wrist, and she was later taken to a hospital for a sexual assault examination, WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta reported.
What a Georgia Protective Order Can Include
According to Georgia.gov, a protective order may prohibit contact, require the respondent to stay away from certain locations or provide other legal protections. The specific terms depend on the order, and the report on Bering’s case does not detail the terms of the temporary order in place. The Georgia Commission on Family Violence says family violence in the state causes serious injuries, deaths and physical and emotional harm.
A family member told investigators they saw Bering leave the residence and head toward a nearby wood line as the situation unfolded. Deputies located and arrested him the same day. Law enforcement also recovered a note that had previously been left at the home, one that the station's report says contained references to killing and sexual violence, per a report from WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta.
Judge and Prosecutors Respond
Chief Superior Court Judge Cynthia Adams presided over the trial, which was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Nelly Ndounteng and Courtney Williams-Speed. District Attorney Dalia Racine commended the victim for coming forward and thanked the jury and investigators for their work on the case.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home. The defendant violated that safety,” Racine said, per the same account from WSB-TV. The case also drew on work from investigator Erica Ray, victim advocate Brittany Humphrey, legal assistant Dana Haynes, and former Douglas County Sheriff's Office officer Kurt Stauffer, who served as lead law enforcement officer on the case.
Bering’s convictions included aggravated stalking and family violence battery as well as the sexual-battery and burglary charges.
