Prison time was suspended Monday for a woman who blindfolded her husband, spun him around to a state of dizziness and beat his head with a hammer.

Instead, 3rd District Judge William Barrett sentenced Amy Walker Ricks to 30 days in jail, with two days credit for time served.

"I'm happy with the sentence; she's happy with the sentence," Ricks' attorney, Susanne Gustin..

In February, Ricks pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault. After Ricks and her husband went on a date on May 4, 2007, they went to a Holladay condo belonging to a relative. There, she blindfolded her husband on the promise of a "surprise," leading him to the basement, where she attacked him with a hammer. He escaped the attack with minor injuries and called police.

Court filings claim Ricks was suffering from battered spouse syndrome and did not remember the attack.

In her marriage to Joel Ricks, emotional abuse "wore down her self-esteem and wore down the core of who she was as a mother and as an LDS woman," Gustin said.

"Even though this looked premeditated, our expert talked about how a battered spouse feels almost like someone suffering from PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder] in wartime." Gustin said.

In letters to Barrett, Joel Ricks' family wrote that claims of abuse were defamatory and false.

"Joel ... and Amy had been seeing a counselor for a little while at his suggestion," wrote Kent Ricks, Joel's father. "Amy balked at Joel's request but reluctantly agreed. One thing their counselor suggested ... was to plan a special date for each other. Amy planned that date for the month of May. ... This violent attack was part of that 'special surprise' Amy had in store."

Joel Ricks' brother, Paul, asked Barrett to sentence Amy to three years, "symbolic of the ... time frame we have grieved."

Joel Ricks himself wrote just a short paragraph, stating, "We all love Amy. We know that she has been subject to difficulties in her life. We want to help her. Some of the help that Amy needs will come from circumstances and situations which she does not want to go through. ... We ask that you do what is right for the state and the people, including me and my two daughters by doing what is right for Amy."

"Joel was amazing," Gustin said. "He said that he forgave her, and ... he wasn't out to get her."

The Tribune could not reach prosecutors for comment.