By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - Peter Starrett has assaulted and resisted police both in Cass and Van Buren counties and earned the label of habitual offender - all by the age of 23. His outfit isn't going to change for awhile.
Starrett had seven felonies and six misdemeanors before counting the one he committed on Nov. 14, 2003.
On that day, Cass County officers tried to stop his vehicle, which was driving without headlights and on a suspended license, at 1:30 a.m.
He set the officers on a chase on Front Street in downtown Dowagiac, going 75 in a 35-mph zone.
Starrett went north on Rudy Road, struck a fence and turned down a lane on Gage Street.
When his vehicle got stuck, he fled on foot and ended up assaulting the officers and needing mace to be controlled.
He was convicted by a jury at a trial on July 13 of resisting and fleeing the officers.
He was sentenced in Cass County Circuit Court on Friday morning by Judge Michael E. Dodge to the Michigan Department of Corrections for 24 months to 10 years.
He was given credit for 108 days served. He also has 93- and 90-day sentences, to be served concurrently, for having an open container and driving on a suspended license.
He is to pay $60 crime victim's fee, $200 in court assessments and $350 attorney fees.
In other sentencings:
Gregory Davis, 38, of 1041 Bailey Ave., Niles, twice delivered less than 50 grams of cocaine to a police informant, while living at his mother's house, on Oct. 20 and Nov. 11, 2003. He was sentenced to 270 days in jail, with 108 days credit. He is to pay $120 crime victim's fee, $120 court assessment, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees and a $350 fine. His license was suspended for one year.
Torrell Davis, 17, of 527 Howard St., Niles, was brought into a situation on Lilac Street on April 8, 2004, to help another seek payment for a debt.
While there he stole a bat. For attempted larceny in a building, he received 180 days in jail, with credit for 162. He is to pay $60 crime victim's fee and $60 court assessment.
Merrill Cady, 48, 67074 Calvin Center Rd., Cassopolis, was found walking by police miles from home at 11 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2004. He had the keys in his pocket to a vehicle found abandoned after a single car accident on Mason Street in Cassopolis.
Dodge and Cady's attorney Jim Miller of Cassopolis, both said he still denies he was driving the vehicle. He was convicted by a jury trial on July 7, 2004. His blood alcohol was .21 and his license was suspended.
He was sentenced to two years probation, and 270 days in jail, with credit for 180 days. He may be eligible for the Twin County Probation Center.
He is to pay a $500 fine, $40 a month probation fees, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees, $60 Crime Victims fee, and $60 court assessment. His license has been revoked.
Tony Benson, 26, 3586 Tabor Rd., Sodus, bought and smoked less than 25 grams of cocaine at a location on Peavine Street in Dowagiac, on May 1, 2004, when his two young children were in his care.
He was put on probation for two years. He is to pay $40 a month probation fees, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees, $60 Crime Victims fee, and $60 court assessment. His license was suspended for 180 days.
Philip Willms, 18, 66641 Hess Rd., Edwardsburg, may fulfill his remaining days of his jail sentence at the Twin County Probation Center.
He was sentenced to 210 days, with credit for 110 days, for taking stereo and CDs from a vehicle in the Edwardsburg area on March 17, 22, and 23, 2004.
In two other similar counts, he received 270 days, with 110 days credit. All are concurrent. He will be on probation for two years.
He is to pay a $350 fine, $60 Crime Victims fee, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fee, $680 in restitution, and a total of $220 in court assessments.