FILE PHOTO Angel Zamorano, 29, of Merrimack

NASHUA – In the five months since his arrest on numerous domestic violence-related offenses, Merrimack resident Angel Zamorano has been busy taking part in intervention programs and a host of other self-improvement courses, lawyers said in court Wednesday.

“He’s been highly engaged in programs,” Zamorano’s attorney, Eleftheria Keans, told the court. “It’s been a good learning experience for him, very productive.”

Zamorano’s efforts appeared to impress Judge Jacalyn Colburn as well, who praised the 29-year-old man in accepting the plea agreement that settles a domestic-violence case that began with Zamorano’s arrest in November.

Police who took Zamorano into custody that night initially charged him with one count of second-degree assault, a felony, and one count each of domestic violence – simple assault and domestic violence – obstructing the report of a crime, misdemeanors.

At some point, Zamorano was charged with four additional misdemeanor offenses, accusing him of punching the alleged victim in the face, pushing her, spitting on her, blocking her access to a phone and terrorizing her by allegedly threatening to kill her, according to the charges as read in court.

On Wednesday, Zamorano entered guilty pleas to the six misdemeanor charges, in exchange for a sentence of two consecutive 12-month jail terms, all suspended for three years on various conditions.

The mandates include no consumption of alcohol, and that he continue his counseling and obtain a substance abuse evaluation within 90 days.

The agreement also includes two years of probation.

The prosecutor, Assistant County Attorney Michele Battaglia, agreed to conditionally dismiss the felony second-degree assault charge for three years, during which Zamorano must abide by the terms of the agreement and remain on good behavior.

If he violates any of those terms, Colburn said, prosecutors could file a motion to reinstate the felony charge and potentially ask the court to impose the suspended jail time.

The woman Zamorano was charged with beating attended Wednesday’s hearing, but opted not to address the court. Battaglia said she “had numerous conversations” with the young woman during the past several months, and that she is in agreement with the terms of Zamorano’s plea deal.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or, @Telegraph_DeanS.

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