A man who violated a no-contact order and strangled his 85-year-old mother was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail and two years’ probation.

A Multnomah County Circuit Court jury in October convicted James Keith, 57, of assault and felony strangulation, both constituting domestic violence, according to a news release from the district attorney.

Keith’s mother was in her home at a Fairview mobile home park on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 31, when Keith attacked her in the kitchen. He put his hands around her throat and squeezed, restricting her breathing for 10 to 20 seconds, and leaving marks according to an affidavit of probable cause. The victim later told a deputy that she thought he was going to kill her.

When a deputy contacted Keith about the assault a short time later, Keith reportedly cracked a beer, according to the news release.

Before the August assault, Keith had been served with a no-contact order in June under the Elderly Persons and Persons with Disability Abuse Prevention Act. Because of “escalating and alarming behavior,” he was not allowed to contact his mother or come within 150 feet of her residence, but he violated that order, according to the news release.

"[H]e completely disregarded that order and viciously attacked his mother,” Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Kate Molina sad. “He purposefully took advantage of someone who is particularly vulnerable.”

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Farmer responded to a call about an assault and found Keith riding a bike a short distance from the home. The deputy recognized Keith as the victim’s son and contacted him.

Keith -- who opened a beer -- told the officer that his mother had damaged his property and messed with his room, and he denied having any physical altercation with her. Farmer then took Keith back to his mother’s home, where she told Farmer about the strangulation, according to the affidavit. Red marks and abrasions were visible on her neck. When the deputy described the injuries and what Keith’s mother had said, Keith reportedly responded, “Is she OK? I mean, I don’t think she’d die between like an hour ago and now.”

Later, while the officer drove Keith to jail, Keith said he had nowhere else to live but his mother’s and that “there’s gonna be a body count eventually, Farmer, including me.”

On Oct. 16, the court found that Keith was in contempt of court by violating the order and sentenced him to six months in jail. At a hearing for the felony strangulation, the court put Keith on 24 months of formal probation. He will not be allowed to contact or go near his mother and will have to attend court-ordered classes and therapy. If he violates probation, he could face up to 10 more months in jail.

-- Emily Goodykoontz; 503-221-6652; egoodykoontz@oregonian.com