By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – A wrong turn and driving while heavily intoxicated has come at a big price to a Cassopolis man and to a family in Edwardsburg.
Christopher Meyer, 50, of 22289 Maple St., Cassopolis, was leaving Lunkers on Aug. 26 and ended up at the end of the road, where he interrupted a child's birthday party and drove over the family's dog.
Assistant Prosecutor Jason Ronning told Meyer he was "fortunate it was not the daughter" who was killed.
"There were only victims," added Judge Michael E. Dodge, "you killed a dog who was well loved.
Meyer's blood-alcohol level was .29 and .31, according to the breathalyzer at the jail, added Dodge, "well above the legal limit."
Meyer made comments to which the family took offense and was attempting to drive away when arrested.
He had two prior drunk driving violations, in 1999 and 2003, Dodge said, and was in violation of his probation.
His license was revoked and he was taken to jail to serve 210 days, with credit for three days. He will also be on probation for two years.
He is to pay $450 court costs, $60 crime victim fee, $60 state costs, a $500 fine and $3,000 in restitution for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
In other sentencings:
Nicole Shaw, 22, 2088 E. Empire, Benton Harbor was the last of three women sentenced for a brutal attack on a woman in Dowagiac on West High Street on May 3, 2005.
Shaw chose to go to a jury trial, unlike Tasha Brown and Jessica Thomas, who entered a plea agreement.
The jury found Shaw guilty of the attack which included the use of a metal broom handle, metal pot and lamp, in the beating.
The victim has said she has bad dreams that the three who invaded her home will return.
Dodge found Shaw a member of the criminal group who invaded the home, saying she would have faired better if she had not gone to trial. "You lost on that gamble," he added. He also believed she should be given a sentence unlike the other two defendants.
Shaw, who said "the victim didn't deserve it," was sentenced to the Michigan Department of Corrections for three to 20 years, for the home invasion and 23 months to 44 months for the assault, with 79 days credit.
She is to pay $450 court costs, $120 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs.
Eric Hall, 20, 14682 Chapel Hill, Union, was found with the drug and components to make meth, at his home, along with some marijuana on Sept. 28.
He received two concurrent terms of 64 days in jail, with 64 days served and 30 months to 20 years in prison. The judge didn't object to boot camp and in fact encouraged Hall, as if he completes the program, he can be released on probation in 90 days.
His license is suspended for 180 days and he is to pay $450 court costs, $60 Crime Victim fee, $165 state costs and $350 attorney fees.
Eduardo Garces, 29, M-62, Sister Lakes was immediately released, as his sentence was for 90 days, with 112 served, for attempted armed robbery on Aug. 11, on West High St., Dowagiac.
Garces maintained his innocence, but a stolen $25 watch was found at the jail when he and another defendant changed clothes.
He is to pay $60 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs.
Roger Conley, 40, 19919 N. Metcalf, Edwardsburg was requested to stop his vehicle by the Michigan State Police on May 19, at Five Points Road, Union.
Fleeing police and attempted resisting police cost Conley two concurrent terms of 150 days in Jail, with 93 days credit. He would have been better to explain his not having a valid driver's license, Dodge said.
He is to pay $60 Crime Victim fee and $105 state costs,
Jeremy Telmage, 30, Marcellus, was also sentenced to resisting a police officer, on Sept. 8 on Main Street in Marcellus. Involved in a fight, the police had to use a taser on him. He also hit his head on purpose, having to to sent to the hospital and spit on an officer.
He also on June 21 on E. Arbor in Marcellus, stabbed someone in the chest, while on parole, which was his three time in prison since 1996.
Talmage received an 18 months to two years and a three to eight year sentence, with 85 days credit.
He is to pay $450 court costs, $120 Crime Victim fee, $120 state costs, $350 attorney fees and $163 restitution.
Lionel Pinch, 30, 53556 Griffis Road, Dowagiac received 90 days in jail with 53 days served for possession of cocaine, less than 25 grams on Oct. 10, on May Street in Edwardsburg.
He is to pay $60 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs.
David Kurzhal, 25, 409 Michigan Avenue, Dowagiac, was told by Dodge that his intent to deliver drugs was serious business. Firearms were also found in his bedroom with 100 grams of marijuana when it was searched on June 29, by Cass County officers. Just because he was without a job, this was not the way to make money, Dodge added.
He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with credit for one day served, and also put on probation for 18 months.
He is to pay a $10 a month probation fee, $450 court costs, $60 Crime Victim fee, $60 state costs, $350 attorney fees and $57 restitution.
Darius Nickens, 26, 111 Pokagon St., Dowagiac was sentenced for delivering and possession of marijuana in Dowagiac on four different dates, from May through August.
He will be serving 270 days in jail, with two days served and be on probation for two years.
He is to pay $500 in court costs, $200 attorney fees, $120 state costs, $53 in restitution, and $100 Crime Victim fees.