BJ Whitmer has landed a plea agreement.
On June 4, 2023, BJ Whitmer was arrested by the Boone County Sheriff's Department in Boone County, Kentucky, and charged with strangulation and second-degree burglary. Whitmer was indicted on charges of first-degree strangulation and second-degree burglary in September. The initial incident report noted that officers saw red marks and bruising that was consistent with strangulation on Hawn's neck. In December, Whitmer's alleged victim, Jaime Hawn, came forward and shared a message for survivors.
BJ Bethel reports that Whitmer received five years probation and a 120-day home incarceration at a sentencing hearing at Kentucky's Boone County Criminal Court on March 4. Whitmer took an Alford plea; in doing so, he maintained his innocence but acknowledged that there was enough evidence for a potential conviction in a jury trial.
Court records also indicate that Whitmer will have to complete a Batterer’s Intervention Program and that he will also be subject to to an Interpersonal Protective Order for the longest period of time permitted by law.
Bethel also shared a quote from the prosecution, in which they explained why an Alford plea was offered to Whitmer.
The prosecution on why an Alford plea was offered to Whitmer.
— B. J. Bethel (@BJBethelTweets) March 5, 2024
“During the pendency of this case the Commonwealth was provided with a significant
amount of reciprocal discovery. Due to this discovery and other events the Commonwealth was required to reevaluate its position.”
Fightful has spoken directly with the victim, who was not on board with this plea and read a victim impact statement to communicate to the judge her concerns.
Whitmer previously worked as a producer in AEW/ROH, as he had been with the company since 2019. He was immediately terminated from his position following his arrest. At the time, AEW reached out and offered their support to those affected.
Fightful will monitor the situation and provide more information as it becomes available.
If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there is help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day by phone at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), chat, or text (Text "START" to 88788).
