“I can take your licence right now,” Judge J. Mitchell scolded Rodriguez J. Castro in Stettler provincial court last Thursday for speeding.
“This is outrageous coming into an urban area double the speed limit,” he said. “You’re this close to losing it,” the judge said as he put his thumb and finger together.
Judge Mitchell fined Castro $400.
• Jay Richard Ruttan pleaded not guilty to impaired driving and driving while over .08. A trial is set for Feb. 13
• Ryan Paul Chase pleaded guilty to driving while over .08.
Defence lawyer Richard Wyrozub told the court he was barely over the legal limit, blowing .110 mg on Dec. 7.
He was arrested after police noticed the car Chase was driving go over the centre line and sway slightly. He told RCMP he had two drinks.
The 31-year-old married man with four children was given the minimum sentence of a $1,000 fine, a $300 surcharge and a one-year suspended driver’s licence.
• Murray W. Armstrong pleaded not guilty to taking a motor vehicle without permission and failing to appear in court. A trial is set for Feb. 13.
• Dustin Matthew Gardiner pleaded not guilty to impaired driving and driving while over .08. A three-hour trial is set for June 12, where his lawyer plans to file a charter notice.
• Daniel James Krautt pleaded not guilty to two counts of obstructing a peace officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle, failing to stop, and public mischief.
A trial is set for Aug. 14.
• Dallas Catlin Tudor reappears Feb. 13 to answer to charges of impaired driving and driving while over .08.
• Justin Primrose pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and was fined $150.
• Brenden Darcy Bowe reserved his plea until Feb. 27 on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, uttering threats and driving a motor vehicle without insurance.
• Duane Earl Isaac pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and was fined $2,500.
• Mackenzie Steven Wyatt reserved his plea until Feb. 27 on charges of assault causing bodily harm and causing a disturbance.
• Chandra Lee Islip pleaded guilty to having a dog at large that attacked and injured another dog.
Islip told the court that her German Shepherd was locked in the backyard, but got out.
“Well, that’s your fault,” Judge Mitchell retorted about the dog getting out.
She was fined $600 for the dog attacking another dog, $80 for having a dog at large, under the Town of Stettler’s municipal bylaw, and ordered to pay the $226 vet bill for the injured dog.
Judge Mitchell told her to pay the vet bill first, saying that was the “decent thing to do,” adding the town can wait for the fine.
• Corey B. O’Donoghue pleaded guilty to driving while over .08. He was fined $1,000 and given a one-year driving prohibition.
• William Robert Kullman was fined $400 for failing to comply with conditions of bail.
• Chad Douglas Berg was fined $230 for operating an unregistered vehicle.
• Jennine A. Osborne was given an 18-month conditional discharge for assaulting a police officer in an attack she claimed she can’t recall.
“I don’t remember,” she told the court Jan. 23.
“I’m sure you did (do it),” said Judge J. Mitchell.
“I probably did,” agreed Osborne.
“You probably did,” said Judge Mitchell nodded.
The charges stem from an Oct. 1, 2013, incident at the Stettler Hotel, where Osborne was “screaming at patrons,” said Crown prosecutor J. Baharustani.
The Crown said Osborne “passively resisted” arrest and had to be lifted and put into the police vehicle.
At the police station, Osborne threw her jacket at an officer and tried to punch him, at which point she was taken to the ground, court was told.
Defence lawyer Richard Wyrozub told the court that his client is remorseful.
“She did apologize to the police officer,” Wyrozub said.
Judge Mitchell told Osborne that “its’ not a pretty picture the description paints for me,” adding that the “police will always get the better of you.”
• Dustin Cole Whitney reserved his plea until Feb. 27 for dangerous driving and refusing/failing to blow a breathalyzer.
• Dylan Edward Pearson pleaded guilty to driving without insurance. He was fined $2,500.
• Jordon James Mayhew, 18, was given a second chance by Judge J. Mitchell by way of alternative measures for a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
“You need a narcotics record like you need an ugly tattoo,” said Judge J. Mitchell, adding that would destroy his life making it difficult to obtain employment in the future.
“This is an opportunity (alternative measures),” Judge Mitchell said. “You better not drop the ball.”
• Shane David Nelson pleaded guilty to hunting wildlife without the proper licence.
Crown prosecutor J. Baharustani told the court that Nelson shot a deer on property he wasn’t licensed to hunt on.
Defence lawyer Richard Wyrozub told the court that Nelson had a licence to shoot on land nearby.
“It’s a lot easier to go to Safeway,” said Judge Mitchell about the confusion of where Nelson was permitted to shoot and not permitted.
Crown said that Nelson has a similar charge dating back to 1993.
Nelson was fined $800.
• Judge J. Mitchell ordered the guards to place a man in the courthouse cells for “10 minutes” while he thought about whether to send him to prison for uttering death threats.
Louis Chase Currier went after a woman with a hammer on Oct. 16, 2013, in Stettler, said Crown prosecutor, J. Baharustani, adding that the complainant “provoked him somewhat.”
Defence lawyer Richard Wyrozub told the court that Currier realizes he “behaved inappropriately” and had no intention of following through on his threats.
“I’ve got a good mind to send you to jail,” the judge said. “I’m this close to putting you in jail for 30 days.”
After being in the courthouse cells for more than an hour, instead of just 10 minutes, a tense-looking Currier was brought back into the courtroom.
“Clean up your act and get control of your temper,” Judge Mitchell scolded Currier.
Currier was fined $500 and he looked relieved when the judge added, “You can be released.”
• Prisoner James Robert Gutierrez appeared via closed-captioned TV on charges of housebreaking, possession of stolen property, and failing to appear in court.
Gutierrez said he prefers to appear in court in person.
The case was adjourned to Feb. 13 in Stettler provincial court, where Gutierrez is slated to appear as a prisoner in person.
• Paul Groeneveld, charged with assault, reappears in court March 13 for plea.
• Joseph Albert Labelle pleaded guilty to assault and was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
The assault occurred at a residence on Jan. 1 near Bashaw after a night of drinking to celebrate New Year’s, the court heard.
Judge J. Mitchell said the number of times he has seen incidents occur because of “booze” was so many times it “would make your head spin.”
Labelle was ordered to take an anger-management course and abide by whatever other conditions his probation officer orders.
• Maxwell Carl Kobza’s case was moved to Red Deer provincial court March 4 for summary disposition.
Kozba is charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer, two counts of resisting arrest, four counts of uttering threats of bodily harm, and two counts of mischief.
— Court Report