Wisconsin Rapids City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Business Directory
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Business Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Business Directory
  • Subscribe

logo

Wisconsin Rapids City Times

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Business Directory
  • Subscribe
Top Stories
Home›Top Stories›Wis. Rapids Man Sentenced in December 2015 Shooting

Wis. Rapids Man Sentenced in December 2015 Shooting

By Julie Schooley
March 20, 2017
841
0
Share:

By Joe Bachman

A 28-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for first degree reckless injury on Monday.

The sentencing stems from a December 2015 incident where a man walked into what was then Big Al’s Tavern, 126 2nd St. North, and pointed a gun at the victim’s head before an ensuing struggle. The two men wrestled each other to the ground before the gun went off, leaving the victim wounded.

The defendant, identified as Diondrell Hale, fled the scene and was found nearly seven months later in June of 2016 in Milwaukee. He plead guilty to first degree reckless injury last month.

According to Hale’s attorney, Eric Sheets, Hale was threatened by a firearm earlier that night by the victim and others affiliated with him, and Hale’s response was only in retaliation with no intention to cause harm. Sheets pointed out that Hale had no prior offenses relating to violent crime before the incident.

Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Grode asked for a 20 year sentence, 10 of which would be served under extended supervision. Sheets requested a lighter sentence of six to eight years, most of which would have been served under extended supervision.

“I just want to apologize to Wood County,” said Hale in his statement to Judge Gregory Potter. “I’m very sorry for what I did — I was scared and intoxicated. I’m not a gang-banger — I’m not a bad guy. I made a mistake that I regret that I wish I could take back.”

While the maximum sentence was not handed out, Judge Potter told the court that a message must be sent that this type of behavior is not tolerated in this community. He also stressed to Hale that while he and his family may have been threatened by others, the best decision would have been to walk away from that type of confrontation.

“Bottom line is this would not have happened had you not brought a gun into that establishment,” said Potter. “Whether these other people had guns or not is somewhat irrelevant, because if they’re in the bar and they have weapons, nothing happens until you walk in.”

Hale will serve five years of his sentence in prison, with the other five served under extended supervision.

 

 

TagsFeatured
Previous Article

Riverkings Honored by Sports Commission

Next Article

Neighborhood Table Meals for March

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Top Stories

    Three reappointed to MSTC Board

    April 11, 2015
    By admin
  • Top Stories

    WRPD Looking for a Little Help

    April 11, 2015
    By admin
  • Top Stories

    Nekoosa Students Place in Business Competition; Team Takes Third

    April 16, 2015
    By admin
  • Editorial

    Inviting New Readers, Long-Time Supporters to Take a New Journey with Us

    April 16, 2015
    By admin
  • Top Stories

    NEW: Riverview Discontinuing Rapid Care Services

    April 17, 2015
    By admin
  • Lincoln High School
    Top Stories

    Red Raiders’ Fall Sport Signup Dates

    April 26, 2015
    By admin
Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×