John Westlund, a 38-year-old resident of northern La Plata County, appeared Friday before District Court Judge Todd Norvell wearing a short-sleeved collared navy shirt, black pants and black and gray sneakers. The facial hair below his bottom lip quivered as he stood beside his attorney, David Greenberg.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ask forgiveness from all involved,\u201d Westlund said, his voice choked by his heaving chest.<\/p>\n
Norvell sentenced Westlund to 10 days in jail, with five days credit for time served and two years\u2019 supervised probation. He also ordered that Westlund abstain from alcohol and drugs and seek an alcohol evaluation, despite already participating in treatment. Westlund faced one to three years in prison for the felony menacing charge, according to the plea agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is pretty lenient given the circumstances,\u201d Norvell said. \u201cI\u2019m accepting this agreement because of how you\u2019ve handled yourself since.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colorado State Patrol troopers responded to Columbine Way north of Electra Lake about 11 p.m. Feb. 22 for a report of a snowplow hitting two vehicles. When law enforcement arrived, troopers found two sedans with \u201csignificant damage\u201d and approached someone in a skid-steer loader about a quarter-mile away.<\/p>\n
Westlund did not slow as he drove the loader toward law enforcement. Troopers said in arresting documents that they feared for their lives. They pulled their firearms, and Westlund stopped and was arrested.<\/p>\n
Troopers noted Westlund had a strong odor of alcohol, watery and bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. His hands shook, and he walked unsteadily.<\/p>\n
Troopers accused Westlund of seven crimes, including two counts of attempted second-degree murder.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors charged Westlund with two counts of Class 5 felony menacing, one count of Class 6 felony criminal mischief and seven counts of Class 3 misdemeanor reckless endangerment.<\/p>\n
He pleaded guilty to menacing and criminal mischief in July, at least one month after Westlund said he sought weekly alcohol treatment and counseling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI accept full responsibility, and wish I could take it all back,\u201d Westlund said. \u201cBut I know that I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Greenberg said his client\u2019s drinking habits caused him to \u201clive in a separate reality. He lost touch with his true self.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was feeling like he let his family down,\u201d Greenberg said. \u201c\u2026 He\u2019s looking forward to being on probation and more so to successfully completing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norvell called the circumstances of Westlund\u2019s arrest \u201cnuts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were out of control,\u201d the judge said, as Westlund wiped his eyes and nose with a tissue. \u201cSomeone could have seriously been injured.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the judge also commended Westlund\u2019s remorse for the damage he caused to his neighbors, family and himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have handled yourself well, gotten help and it appears you\u2019re taking responsibility,\u201d Norvell said. \u201cThat counts for a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n