Video: Ludwig Sentenced to Time Served in CDV Case

Former Greenville businessman John Ludwig pleaded guilty Monday to first offense criminal domestic violence on the same day he was to appear before a judge for a bench trial. 

Ludwig, 40, was arrested in November of 2011 when he allegedly threatened and struck his wife, Shannon. He already had a previous criminal domestic violence conviction in 2010 from a previous marriage, but was allowed to plead guilty to another first offense CDV as part of a plea deal offered by the Attorney General's Office. 

In January 2012, he was sentenced to three years in prison after a judge said he violated his probation as part of a guilty plea to reckless homicide after driving his car through a field and into Frederic Bardsley's home, killing the 62-year-old homeowner as he sat watching television in 2009.

Ludwig was sentenced to time already served in the domestic violence case. He is eligible for parole next month. He has served 396 days of his sentence so far, and would be released in July should he not be granted parole. 

Ludwig's attorney, Kim Varner, said his client will likely be put on medication for personality disorders once released. 

Ludwig's fines of up to $2,500 will be suspended in the case, if he completes counseling scheduled by family court. 

Watch Patch.com's video coverage of Monday's court proceedings.