A father of five was ordered to serve four years in prison last week in connection to terrorizing a Cortez neighborhood with a machete during the summer.<\/p>\n
Walter Marquez, 36, of Cortez was sentenced Thursday, Dec. 5, to two consecutive two-year prison terms with the Colorado Department of Corrections for a total of four years behind bars. Credited with 108 days served, Marquez will serve four years probation upon his release.<\/p>\n
The charges stem from a July 23 attack when Marquez, armed with a bloody machete, forced entry into three residences along the 500 block of N. Harrison Street.<\/p>\n
Wearing a navy blue suit and tie before Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker, Marquez read a prepared written statement at his sentencing, addressing the court for seven minutes. He not only apologized for the fear and emotional trauma his \u201cevil actions\u201d caused the victims, but he also expressed sorrow to court officials, police officers, the community and his family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no excuse for my actions,\u201d Marquez said, his voice crackling. \u201cI wish I could take that day back. Admittedly, it was a very monstrous act.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several family members spoke on Marquez\u2019s behalf seeking leniency in a proposed five-year prison sentence. Louis Edwards, grandfather to one of Marquez\u2019s children, argued lengthy jail time could potentially push Marquez further down the wrong path.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m begging you, your honor, to have mercy on him,\u201d Edwards pleaded.<\/p>\n
District Attorney Will Furse requested five years of prison, citing the victims will face lifelong trauma as a direct result of the defendant\u2019s \u201cacts of violence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis case is truly something like that of a horror movie,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Also requesting a lighter sentence, public defender Justin Bogan said Marquez did in fact \u201cscare the hell\u201d out of residents on the day in question, but said his client\u2019s actions were an attempt by a troubled and confused man seeking to commit suicide by cop.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not an evil man who wanted to put fear in the community,\u201d Bogan argued. \u201cThis is a sad and lonely man who wanted to die that night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moments before imposing his sentence, Walker told a visibly shaken Marquez that people in the community were not accustomed to having their doors kicked in by a man wielding a machete. Walker added the victims were \u201cunlucky\u201d to cross paths with Marquez that evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cI read the police report, and it\u2019s scary,\u201d Walker said. \u201cIt must have been incredibly frightening for the victims and their children.\u201d<\/p>\n