Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker delivered the penalty at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday, telling Dunn, 47, that he was a \u201cmenace to society\u201d and \u201cneeded to be locked away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Dunn needs to be sequestered from society for as long as possible,\u201d he said following the hour-and-a-half sentencing hearing.<\/p>\n
Dunn was ordered to serve four years for felony menacing and six years for possession of a firearm by a previous offender \u2014 second offense. The sentences will run consecutively for a full 10 years.<\/p>\n
The charges stem from an Oct. 1, 2012, attack on the defendant\u2019s brother, Todd Dunn, who attended the sentencing hearing but did not address the court. Todd Dunn also declined to comment following the proceedings as he watched his brother being led out of the courthouse.<\/p>\n
The evidence-based hearing before Judge Walker included sworn testimony from a defense counsel crime scene expert, Roger Willard. In his investigation, Willard conducted a trajectory analysis of bullet holes found inside the residence where the defendant shot multiple rounds on the day in question. He testified there was no physical evidence contradicting the defendant\u2019s claim that he was acting in self-defense.<\/p>\n
Under cross-examination by District Attorney Will Furse, Willard said he couldn\u2019t dispute that the defendant entered the residence without invitation. He also said the 1985 Colorado Make My Day Law entitles homeowners to protect themselves against violent intrusions.<\/p>\n
In closing arguments, Furse outlined the defendant\u2019s previous felony convictions, which date back to 1985. Described as a \u201cprolonged criminal history of violence,\u201d prior convictions include battery with a deadly weapon, assault and the stabbing of a prison guard, Furse added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis history clearly demonstrates that Mr. Dunn has a propensity for violence,\u201d Furse said.<\/p>\n
Prior to his sentence being delivered, Mark Dunn spoke briefly, citing that alcohol had ruined everything he\u2019s tried to achieve in life. He also apologized to his wife, brother and the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past nine months, I\u2019ve been able to experience and see the results of my actions, and I don\u2019t like how I feel,\u201d he said. \u201cI feel embarrassed. I feel stupid. I feel ashamed and I feel guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several community members spoke on Mark Dunn\u2019s behalf, including one of his victims, Teresa Carlson-Dunn, his wife. She stated that her husband had made a positive impact in the community, volunteering to serve with numerous organizations. She closed, saying the case was riddled with \u201cinadequate investigations, unprofessional actions, predetermined profiling and untruths.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this time, your honor, I\u2019m asking for leniency in this case,\u201d she pleaded.<\/p>\n
Facing a life conviction if found guilty at trial, Dunn pled guilty last month to one count of felony menacing, a class five felony, and a second count of possession of a weapon by a previous offender second offense, a class four felony.<\/p>\n
The charges stem from two separate shooting incidences, one at the defendant\u2019s home involving his wife, and the other at Todd Dunn\u2019s home, where at least four rounds were fired from a .38 caliber handgun.<\/p>\n
Mark Dunn was initially charged with aggravated robbery, criminal mischief, two counts of felony menacing, being a felon in possession of a firearm, third-degree assault, theft, prohibited use of a firearm, two counts of reckless endangerment and domestic violence. The other charges were dropped as a result of the plea deal.<\/p>\n