|
Houdeshell
gets MonDay, community sanctions
By
Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE
– Darke County Common Pleas Judge Jonathan Hein sentenced Bryan A.
Houdeshell on Dec. 16 to Community Sanctions, including the MonDay
Program, for two counts of Felony 3 Burglary.
Darke
County Prosecutor Kelly Ormsby asked for a year in prison;
acknowledging the defendant has a drug problem. Hein noted the
defendant had started with marijuana at 13, went to cocaine at 15,
prescription drugs at 16 and heroin at 23.
Defense
attorney David Rohrer agreed there was no doubt Houdeshell has a drug
problem. He added, however, his client has never had an opportunity
to benefit from a good drug treatment program.
“He
doesn’t have very good job skills,” Rohrer noted. “If he does a
year, then comes back, it could be the same thing all over again.”
Houdeshell
apologized to those affected by his actions, including to his family.
Hein
turned to the defendant’s family, sitting behind the defense table.
“Is
any of this a surprise to you?” he asked. “You have to understand
not the probation officer, or the court, not the prosecutor or his
attorney has as much input into his life as you do. You have a better
chance to influence his life.”
Hein
told them to do something about it… outside the system, then
thanked them for being there. He turned to Houdeshell.
“Only
you can decide to help yourself, right?” The defendant agreed.
“The
last guy in here, under similar circumstances, got two years. Why
shouldn’t you get the same?” Hein said decisions are made every
day, at some point the right decision has to be made.
“Attitude
is 90 percent of the battle. You’re different than the person
before you, or so I hope. Knock on wood. And you can’t do it on
your own. When your family tries to help don’t push them away.”
Hein
acknowledged there is value to sending Houdeshell to prison to
protect the public, but added at age 27 “let’s see if you can
pull it out.”
He
ordered supervision for five years and successful completion of the
MonDay program, 80 hours of community service, and must follow up on
required mental health and substance abuse programs.
“You
fail to comply you will get 24 months in prison.”
Ormsby
had noted the only restitution request was for $200. Hein ordered it
paid.
“You’ll
have a lot of chances to do some soul searching. Don’t make a fool
out of your chance. Make a mistake? Own it!”
Published
courtesy of The Early Bird
|
