A Merrillville man was sentenced to a nine-year split term Tuesday for attacking a woman in two separate criminal cases. Brian Campbell, 26, pleaded guilty in December to criminal confinement, a Level 3 felony, and domestic battery, a misdemeanor. His attempted murder case from November 2023 called for an eight-year split term – one year in prison, three years in Lake County Community Corrections work release program and four years on probation. For the later charge – domestic battery charged in December 2022 – he was sentenced to another year in jail. Both involved the same woman. He also has to complete a domestic batterer’s intervention program. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop several charges, including attempted murder. Deputy Prosecutor Jacob Brandewie said there were “evidentiary issues.” Defense lawyer Tim Bianco said the case was “overcharged” and argued the couple had a “toxic relationship.” Merrillville Police responded around 7 p.m. Nov. 2, 2023, to the 600 block of W. 78th Avenue for a shots fired call with a “barricaded” subject. The woman ran a few blocks north to the 7600 block of Jackson Street, where she met officers with her dog. She said Campbell pistol-whipped and fired a gun at her. She had scratches and bruises on her head, with a bloody lip. They had broken up, but she occasionally stayed with him when he threatened to kill himself, according to the affidavit. The woman said she went to Campbell’s to tell him she was pregnant. He called her expletives, choked her, then punched her in the face and hit her with a gun. Over 30-45 minutes, Campbell allegedly pointed the gun at her 10-15 times. He pointed at her and when she moved, he shot the sofa. “If you leave or call the cops, I will kill you and kill myself,” he said. He told her to take a shower. Afterwards, she went to grab her dog and climbed out the basement window. The woman said he had several guns. Campbell called a detective on Nov. 3, saying she harassed him because he slept with her friends and she had a “vendetta.” He wanted to avoid the cops, because he had a court date on Nov. 8 and would get “locked up.” Campbell claimed they were tussling, she had the gun and “let it off.” He ran around the room, then out of the house, scared he would die. mcolias@post-trib.com ...read more read less