A Prescott man will spend the next 10 years in prison after authorities say he violently assaulted his pregnant wife in an attempt to end her pregnancy, a case that prosecutors described as particularly disturbing.
Justin Joseph Noecker, 43, was sentenced this week to a decade behind bars for attempted murder, along with seven years of supervised probation for kidnapping, according to the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office. The probation sentence stems from allegations that Noecker restrained his wife during the assault.
Prosecutors said the attack occurred in late October 2024, following an argument between the couple shortly after they learned of the pregnancy. Investigators allege Noecker told his wife he would “give her an abortion,” held her against her will, and repeatedly stomped on her stomach. She later sought medical care, but the baby did not survive.
Medical records were unable to conclusively determine whether the loss of the pregnancy was caused by the assault or whether a miscarriage had already occurred prior to the attack. Despite that uncertainty, prosecutors charged Noecker with attempted murder, arguing he believed the fetus was alive at the time and acted with the intent to end the pregnancy.
The victim told Prescott police she was approximately nine weeks pregnant and that the couple had initially been excited about having a child. The assault, she said, happened days after confirming the pregnancy.
Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane said the case underscores the severity of domestic violence involving pregnant victims and has prompted renewed calls for legislative action. In a statement, McGrane emphasized the seriousness of the crime and said the sentence should serve as a clear warning that such violence will be met with significant punishment.
Information on resources and reporting domestic violence in Arizona can be found through the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at https://acesdv.org.
