Lake County District Court news for Jan. 21, 2010
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Judge Deborah K. Christopher dealt with the following cases on Jan. 14:
Daniel Francis Bisson, 58, of Ronan, was found guilty of felony driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and sentenced to the Department of Corrections for placement in an appropriate correctional facility or program for 13 months and to the DOC for three years with all suspended. According to the plea agreement, Bisson was fined $1,260.
According to court records, on June 2, 2009, a Lake County Deputy was patrolling Back Road near Polson when he noticed a blue Nissan Sentra driving over the center line of the road.
After being followed, the deputy noticed the vehicle crossed the center line several more times. After being stopped, the deputy noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Bisson and that his eyes appeared glassy. Bisson said he had a few drinks.
The poor performance of several sobriety tests by Bisson indicated to the deputy that he was under the influence of alcohol and was placed under arrest. A bag of marijuana was found in Bisson’s pocket.
During booking at the jail, .174% BAC was the result of a breath test, and a court record indicated that Bisson had six prior convictions for DUI.
Travis C. Pierre, 32, of St. Ignatius, was found guilty of felony driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and was sentenced to the DOC for placement in an appropriate correctional facility or program for 13 months and in addition, to the DOC for three years with all suspended. Sentencing will run consecutively. According to the plea agreement, Pierre was fined $1,260.
According to court records, a Tribal Police officer responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 93. The officer noticed that Pierre was unsteady on his feet, slurred his words while speaking and smelled of an alcoholic beverage. A records check indicated that Pierre had three prior DUI convictions. He was then placed under arrest and during booking at the Lake County Jail, Pierre refused to give a proper breath test, but would give a blood sample which was taken at St. Luke Hospital.
Judge C.B. McNeil dealt with the following cases on Jan. 13:
Laurence Bennedict Kenmille, 25, of Elmo, admitted to committing the amended offense of misdemeanor partner or family member assault - first offense. He was found guilty and sentenced to one year in Lake County Jail with all suspended except 103 days, and will receive credit for time served. Kenmille also will pay for, enroll in and successfully complete a Men’s Accountability Program and was fined $1,000 with all suspended but $300. If Kenmille completes a chemical dependency evaluation and follows all recommendations, $200 of that fine will be suspended.
According to court records, the charges stem from a June 23, 2009 incident when a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy was called to a residence in Elmo. Upon arrival, the deputy separated Kenmille from a female. Kenmille stated that they got into an argument because the female was yelling at him for slapping one of their children. They continued to argue until at one point, Kenmille said he strangled the female until she was no longer conscious.
Jeffery John Catterlin, 24, of Pablo, was found guilty of felonies partner or family member assault - third or subsequent offence, and DUI - fourth or subsequent offense. For the PFMA, Catterlin was sentenced to the DOC for five years with all suspended but 56 days. For the DUI, he was committed to the DOC for 13 months for placement in an appropriate facility or treatment program with none of that time suspended and was committed to the DOC for three years with all suspended, and sentencing is to run consecutive to the 13 month placement.
Court documents state on Feb. 27, 2009 a woman called the sheriff’s office to report her ex-boyfriend, Catterlin, had broken into her home. The woman’s sister and the sister’s boyfriend went to the house to ask Catterlin to leave, and he began fighting with them. Catterlin attempted to hit the sister with a tire iron, but the sister’s boyfriend pulled Catterlin away from her. Catterlin then fled.
A deputy observed pry marks in the doorjamb at the woman’s house and found a tire iron in the living room. Food had been thrown around the residence. In the woman’s bedroom, two steak knives were stuck in the wall, and there was a hole punched in the wall. The woman confirmed that none of the damage had been there when she left the residence.
On March 3, the woman reported to the sheriff’s office that Catterlin had returned to her residence. Catterlin showed the woman his black eye and asked if she wanted her face to look like that. The woman told Catterlin to leave her alone and told him police officers were looking for him. Catterlin left, and a Ronan Police officer located him in Ronan.
The officer stopped Catterlin’s vehicle, and Catterlin admitted being at the woman’s residence, but said nothing had happened. The deputy noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from Catterlin. The officer arrested Catterlin and took him to the LCJ for further processing. Catterlin’s performance on the field sobriety tests indicated he was under the influence of alcohol. His BAC measured .196%. Catterlin has three prior DUI convictions and two prior convictions for partner or family member assault.
Catterlin admitted to a sheriff’s detective that he went to the woman’s residence on Feb. 27. He told the detective he “helped himself in” but only admitted sticking the steak knives in the wall. He denied doing any other damage to the residence. Catterlin also admitted going to the woman’s house on March 3.
