Waco, TX – Otho Prince Hill IV, a former auto salesman from Waco, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday after being convicted of repeated assaults on his former fiancée. The jury in Waco’s 54th State District Court recommended the maximum sentence for Hill, who was found guilty of continuous violence against the family, a second-degree felony. The conviction stems from a series of violent incidents involving Hill’s ex-fiancée, Victoria Trimble, which spanned over several years.
Hill, 53, had been out on parole after serving time for a third DWI conviction when he was arrested again in October 2023 in connection with the assault on Trimble. The jury also recommended a $10,000 fine as part of his sentence. Hill must serve at least a quarter of his 20-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
The charges against Hill centered on the repeated physical and emotional abuse he inflicted on Trimble. Testifying during the trial, Trimble described Hill as a controlling and violent partner. She recounted numerous incidents where Hill choked her, punched her, and at one point, forced her to eat dirt. In one particularly disturbing account, Trimble described how Hill attempted to throw her into the Brazos River during a camping trip with her two children. The attack was only interrupted when one of her sons woke up to her screams, she testified.
The jury heard from additional witnesses, including Lauren Engelbrecht, a woman who dated Hill nearly a decade ago. Engelbrecht described her relationship with Hill as “toxic,” saying that he was possessive and controlling. Like Trimble, she recounted incidents of physical abuse, including one where Hill allegedly caused her eardrum to burst during an argument. Engelbrecht also testified that Hill placed a GPS tracker on her car to monitor her movements.
Hill’s criminal history, which includes multiple convictions for driving while intoxicated, was also a key factor in the trial. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2019 for his third DWI conviction and had been jailed on parole violations before the 2023 arrest.
In the punishment phase of the trial, Hill’s mother, Joyce Hill, testified in his defense. She described her son as a loving and caring individual who had taken her and a mentally disabled sibling into his home to care for them as her health deteriorated. Tearfully, she expressed concern over his return to prison, saying, “I don’t know what I’ll do now.”
Despite these pleas, prosecutors argued that Hill’s actions warranted the maximum sentence. Prosecutor Bailey Bryson emphasized the lasting emotional scars Hill had inflicted on Trimble, her children, and other victims, noting that the psychological damage was more enduring than any physical injury. Assistant District Attorney Dan Stokes echoed this sentiment, stating that Hill’s pattern of violence and manipulation demonstrated a clear disregard for the well-being of those closest to him.
Hill’s defense attorneys, David Singleton and Dane Harbour, argued that he had made efforts to change his ways. They pointed to his decision to stop drinking and claimed that he had taken steps to address his violent behavior. They also argued that Hill had a strong love for his children and his mother, which they suggested could be a mitigating factor in his sentencing.
However, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, delivering a unanimous verdict that Hill should be held accountable for his actions. In addition to the prison sentence, Hill was fined $10,000.
The conviction highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence, which remains a pervasive problem across the United States. Advocates for victims of domestic abuse emphasize the importance of legal measures, support systems, and public awareness in addressing the cycle of violence. Trimble and other victims of abuse have expressed hope that Hill’s conviction will serve as a reminder of the need for continued efforts to protect those at risk.
Hill’s sentencing brings a measure of justice to Trimble and her children, who have lived through years of trauma at his hands. As Hill begins his 20-year sentence, many hope that it will send a strong message about the consequences of domestic violence and the importance of holding abusers accountable.
