A former University of Utah defensive lineman who skipped his sentencing date more than four years ago for abusing his wife was sentenced Monday to jail time.
In February 2013, Koliniasi “Niasi” Leota, then 24, was accused of physically abusing his wife in front of their 2-year-old child. He pleaded guilty to third-degree felony aggravated assault.
But Leota missed his sentencing in July 2013, according to prosecutors, and a judge issued a warrant for his arrest at that time.
In February, the now-29-year-old defendant called and set up a bench warrant hearing, flew in from out of state and was arrested, according to prosecutors.
Third District Judge Randall Skanchy on Monday sentenced Leota to 170 days in jail, but allowed him to receive credit for the 70 days he had already spent behind bars. The judge also ordered that Leota be on probation for 24 months, which includes obtaining a substance abuse and domestic violence evaluation and complete any recommended treatment.
On Feb. 17, 2013, the 6-foot-4, 278-pound Leota punched his wife in the face hard enough that she bled, according to charging documents. When she went into the bathroom to clean up, he hit her head with a curling iron and tried to stab her with a towel rod that he tore out of the wall.
He also wrapped the curling iron’s cord around her neck and tried to electrocute her by tossing the curling iron into a bathtub full of water, according to charges. He yanked her back into the apartment by the hair when she tried to escape, charges state.
During the assault, someone arrived at the apartment with the couple’s other two children, a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old. Leota’s wife ran outside and locked herself into the car with the other woman and the two children.
When the police arrived, Leota was reportedly screaming and threatening to smash the car’s windows and rip off the hood, documents state.
The University of Utah football team dismissed Leota after the charges were filed.